Central Govt Employees to Get 63% DA Hike; Transport Allowance Also Rises

• Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees is likely to increase by 5 percent, reaching a total of 63 percent.
• The hike is based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) remaining flat at 148.2 for December 2025.
• The revision is due in January 2026, with employees expected to receive the hike in April 2026 salary, including arrears from January.
• Transport allowance will also increase by the same percentage, varying based on pay level and city category (X, Y, Z).
• Employee bodies advocate for merging DA with basic pay, though the government currently has no such proposal.

Why It Matters: Central government employees are set for a 5% DA hike, bringing it to 63%, effective January 2026.