July 2026 DA not announced yet; DA and DR still 60%

Dearness allowance for central government employees and dearness relief for pensioners are revised twice a year, from 1 January and 1 July, on the basis of the All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW). The Government confirmed this in the Lok Sabha.

The rate from 1 January 2026 is 60%. The Cabinet approved it on 18 April 2026 and the Department of Expenditure issued its order on 22 April 2026.

No decision yet on July 2026

As of 23 October 2026, the Department of Expenditure's DA orders page lists nothing after the April order, and the Press Information Bureau has published no Cabinet decision on the July 2026 instalment. The Cabinet decisions released on 14 October 2026 were on the productivity-linked bonus for railway staff and the National Social Assistance Programme.

The July instalment is usually decided in September or October. It was approved on 1 October 2025, when DA rose from 55% to 58%, and on 16 October 2024.

What this means for your pay and pension

Until an order is issued, salaries and pensions continue to be paid with DA and DR at 60%. When the new rate is approved, it will normally apply from 1 July 2026, with the difference paid as arrears. Any July 2026 rate quoted today is an estimate, not a Government decision.

You can see what each extra percentage point of DA is worth on your own basic pay or pension with our DA calculator.