Central Govt Employees to Get 60% DA Hike from Jan 2026: Salaries to Increase Significantly

• Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees is set to increase from January 2026, based on the 8th Pay Commission's salary structure.
• The All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) for November 2025 was 48.2, crucial for DA/DR calculation.
• DA is expected to rise from 58% to 60% from January 1, 2026, as the 12-month average AICPI-IW indicates a DA over 60% even with normal December data.
• Employees' associations suggest a 3%-5% DA hike if December AICPI-IW is stable, potentially reaching 61% to 63% depending on the index.
• The 8th Pay Commission, notified in November 2025, will submit recommendations after 18 months, determining the next structural salary revision.

Why It Matters: Central Government employees to see a significant DA hike to 60% from January 2026, boosting salaries.