DA rate history under the 7th Pay Commission (2016–2026)
Under the 7th Pay Commission, DA started at 0% on 1 January 2016 and reached 60% on 1 January 2026. The latest rises were 55% (Jan 2025) → 58% (Jul 2025) → 60% (Jan 2026). The July 2026 revision is expected to be 63%, pending Cabinet approval. DA was frozen at 17% from January 2020 to June 2021 during COVID-19 and restored to 28% from July 2021.
Key facts Last verified: 25 Sep 2026
| Item | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Starting DA (7th CPC) | 0% on 1 Jan 2016 | 7th CPC |
| Current DA | 60% from 1 Jan 2026 | Ministry of Finance OM 22 Apr 2026 |
| Expected next | 63% from 1 Jul 2026 (not yet approved) | AICPI-IW data |
| COVID freeze | Extra instalments of Jan 2020, Jul 2020, Jan 2021 frozen till 30 Jun 2021 | Ministry of Finance |
Full DA table (central government, 7th CPC)
| Effective from | DA / DR rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2016 | 0% | Start of 7th CPC |
| 1 Jul 2016 | 2% | +2 |
| 1 Jan 2017 | 4% | +2 |
| 1 Jul 2017 | 5% | +1 |
| 1 Jan 2018 | 7% | +2 |
| 1 Jul 2018 | 9% | +2 |
| 1 Jan 2019 | 12% | +3 |
| 1 Jul 2019 | 17% | +5 |
| 1 Jan 2020 | 21% (frozen; paid 17%) | +4 |
| 1 Jul 2020 | 24% (frozen; paid 17%) | +3 |
| 1 Jan 2021 | 28% (frozen; paid 17%) | +4 |
| 1 Jul 2021 | 28% restored, then 31% | +3 |
| 1 Jan 2022 | 34% | +3 |
| 1 Jul 2022 | 38% | +4 |
| 1 Jan 2023 | 42% | +4 |
| 1 Jul 2023 | 46% | +4 |
| 1 Jan 2024 | 50% | +4 |
| 1 Jul 2024 | 53% | +3 |
| 1 Jan 2025 | 55% | +2 |
| 1 Jul 2025 | 58% | +3 |
| 1 Jan 2026 | 60% | +2 |
| 1 Jul 2026 | 63% expected | +3 (pending) |
During the COVID-19 freeze (1 Jan 2020 – 30 Jun 2021), DA was paid at 17% and no arrears were paid for the frozen instalments. From 1 July 2021, DA was restored to 28% and raised to 31%.
Why DA crossing 50% mattered
When DA reached 50% on 1 January 2024, several allowances rose automatically by 25% under 7th CPC rules — most visibly HRA went from 24/16/8% to 30/20/10%, and the gratuity ceiling for central government employees went up from ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh.
How DA is calculated
DA % = [(12-month average of AICPI-IW (base 2001=100) − 261.42) ÷ 261.42] × 100. Since the index base changed to 2016=100, a linking factor of 2.88 is used. The result is rounded down to the whole number.
Frequently asked questions
What is DA from January 2026?
60% of basic pay, approved on 18 April 2026.
What will DA be from July 2026?
It is expected to be 63%, based on CPI-IW data up to June 2026. The Cabinet has not approved it yet.
Were DA arrears for the COVID freeze paid?
No. The three frozen instalments (Jan 2020, Jul 2020, Jan 2021) were restored prospectively from July 2021 without arrears.
Is DA the same for pensioners?
Yes. Pensioners get Dearness Relief (DR) at the same rate on their basic pension.
Official links
Use only these government websites. HumainOne is not connected to any of them.
- Department of Expenditure — DA ordersEvery DA office memorandum
- Labour Bureau — CPI-IWIndex used for DA
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