DA, DR Hike 2026 Delayed: First Such Delay in Years; Unions Urge FM Nirmala Sitharaman to Act

The Union Cabinet is yet to announce the much-awaited dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) hike for central government employees and pensioners, leading to growing unease among lakhs of beneficiaries. The revision, which is due from January 1, 2026, has not been declared so far, marking an unusual delay compared to previous years.

DA, DR Hike Pending Since January: Unions Write to FM Nirmala Sitharaman

As uncertainty builds, two major employee bodies-the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers and the All India NPS Employees Federation-have written to Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman, urging immediate intervention to clear the pending DA and DR hike along with arrears.

The organisations have expressed concern that the delay is creating anxiety among employees and pensioners who rely on periodic revisions to offset rising inflation. They have highlighted that the absence of an official announcement has disrupted expectations and financial planning for many households dependent on government salaries and pensions.

DA Hike Delayed for First Time in a Decade

In a letter dated April 8, 2026, SB Yadav, Secretary General of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, pointed out that the DA and DR instalments effective from January 1 are still pending. He noted that such announcements are typically made in the last week of March, followed by the release of arrears in early April.

Yadav stressed that the delay has led to "severe discontent and apprehension" among employees and pensioners. He urged the Finance Minister to take personal note of the situation and expedite the issuance of orders, underlining the urgency of the matter.

NPS Employees Concern Over DA Delay: Fear of DA Freeze

A similar concern was raised by the All India NPS Employees Federation. In a letter dated April 9, 2026, its president Manjeet Singh Patel stated that the delay has caused "deep disappointment and frustration" among employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS).

The federation also flagged fears among employees that the DA hike could face a freeze similar to the period during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the letter, such apprehensions are negatively impacting employee morale and creating uncertainty about future income adjustments.

What is DA and DR? Know Impact on Salary and Pension

Dearness allowance and dearness relief are key components of the salary and pension structure for government employees and retirees. These revisions are periodically announced to help counter the impact of inflation and maintain purchasing power.

Expected DA Hike Percentage 2026 From 58% to 60%?

Based on the formula recommended by the 7th Pay Commission, employees are expecting the DA to be increased from the current 58% of basic salary to around 60%. However, with no official update so far, the wait continues longer than usual.

When Will DA Hike Be Announced?

Traditionally, the DA hike for the January cycle is announced in March each year. The ongoing delay in 2026 has therefore raised concerns and intensified calls for an early decision from the government.

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