Central Govt Employees, Pensioners to See Over 60% DA Hike from Jan 2026

• Central government employees and pensioners can expect a dearness allowance (DA) increase from January 1, 2026.
• Inflation data up to November 2025 suggests DA will cross the 60% mark, likely a 2 percentage point hike from 58% to 60%.
• The All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers for November 2025 stands at 148.2, influencing the DA calculation.
• Employee associations project a potential 3-5% hike if December inflation remains elevated, possibly reaching 61-63%.
• The 8th Pay Commission, notified in November 2025, will determine the next major salary and pension revision after 18 months.

Why It Matters: Central government employees and pensioners are set for a significant DA hike, likely over 60%, from January 2026.