Several state governments have announced Dearness Allowance (DA) increases for their employees and pensioners ahead of Diwali 2026. According to the latest available roundup as many as 13 states have announced revisions ranging from 2% to 40%.
Rajasthan Employees to Receive 63% DA
The Rajasthan government increased DA by 3 percentage points, taking it from 60% to 63% of basic pay. The revised rate is effective from July 1, 2026, and is expected to benefit around seven lakh government employees and five lakh pensioners.
Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Also Announce Increases
Haryana approved a 3% DA hike, raising the rate from 58% to 60%. Around 2.78 lakh regular employees and 2.6 lakh pensioners are expected to benefit.
Uttar Pradesh also raised DA by 3%, taking it to 63%. The revised allowance will be reflected in November 2026 salaries, along with applicable arrears.
Other States Extend Benefits
Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh are among the other states that announced DA-related changes.
The increases vary by state and employee category. Some governments have also approved arrears from earlier effective dates.
What This Means for Employees and Pensioners
The latest announcements provide additional financial support to government employees and pensioners during a period of rising living costs. The revised payments will depend on individual state orders, salary structures and eligibility conditions.
