DA hike: Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Sikkim — Check full list of states with dearness allowance hikes this year

DA hikes in 2026: Dearness allowance and dearness relief (DA and DR) are updated biannually using data from the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI), as per the 7th Central Pay Commission’s recommendations. The CPC announcements usually come in March and October, with rollouts in January and July.

Notably, the government has not officially confirmed a date for the second DA hike this year. Over 1 crore beneficiaries, comprising about 50 lakh central government employees and nearly 65 lakh pensioners, including defence and railway personnel and retirees, gain from DA and Dearness Relief (DR) hikes.

Notably, after the Union Cabinet meetings on October 14 and 21 did not result in DA hike announcements, central government employees and pensioners are now awaiting the next meeting on 28 October for a possible 3-4% “Diwali gift”.

Amid this, we take a look at the full list of states that have released dearness allowance hikes this year — from Himachal Pradesh’s Diwali increase in DA and DR to Kerala, Telangana, Sikkim, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh announcing hikes.

Full list of states with DA hikes so far this year

Following the Finance Ministry’s announcement, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) announced revised DA and DR for workmen and officer employees across levels for the months of May, June and July 2026. It hiked basic salaries between ₹48,000 and ₹1,17,000 and DA from ₹435 to ₹1,050. Later, the Indian Railways also announced a 2% hike in DA and DR for staff and pensioners.

Here’s a look at the full list of DA hikes announced by states so far:

• Tamil Nadu hiked DA by 2%, effective from 1 January 2026, for state government employees, pensioners, and teachers, raising the allocation to 60% of basic salary. The state will bear an additional annual expenditure of ₹1,230 crore.
• Uttar Pradesh, on 21 May, announced a 2% hike in DA and DR for state government employees and pensioners, effective from 1 January — up to 60% of basic pay from 58% — benefiting around 16 lakh Uttar Pradesh government employees, teachers, and pensioners.
• In June, the West Bengal government hiked DA and DR by 20% for state government employees and pensioners, with effect from October, taking the component to 38% of basic salary. According to the notification, those employees still drawing salaries under the 5th CPC will get DA at 223%, up from the existing 171%, from 1 October. Further, pensioners and family pensioners whose pensions are yet to be revised under the Revision of Pay and Allowances (ROPA) 2009 rules will also receive DR at 223% until their revised pensions are implemented, it added.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Please refer to the official government website for the latest updates.