Dearness Allowance Hike 2026: Before Holi, discussions have once again intensified regarding increase in dearness allowance. It is believed that the Central Government may announce an increase in DA of central employees and pensioners for the period January-June 2026. However, if we look at the trend of the last five years, such an announcement is generally not made before Holi which falls in the beginning of March.

Earlier, a 3 percent increase was announced on October 1, 2025 for the July-December cycle. After which at present the employees are getting 58 percent DA. Let us know about this…

hope for central employees

Employees and pensioners associated with various departments of the Central Government are hopeful that the government can increase DA by 2 percent in the next amendment. If this happens, DA will increase from the current 58 percent to 60 percent of the basic salary and it will be implemented from January 1, 2026.

The decision on DA increase will depend on the changes in All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) data and inflation data of the last months. However, due to festivals like Holi, expectations increase. But the government can wait for the cabinet’s decision before taking any decision. From which it is expected that any new announcement is possible after Holi.

DA announcement and Holi timing

The time of Holi remains in discussion regarding the announcement of dearness allowance because the Government of India usually revises DA twice a year. Once around March and the second in October or November. In recent years, the second increase has been seen many times during Diwali.

But the March announcement was not made every time before Holi. Especially when Holi falls in the beginning of March, the cabinet decision is often taken in the last month of the month. In such a situation, if there is no unusual speed in the decision process, then it is considered more likely that the DA increase will be announced after Holi.

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