The Central government usually hike the dearness allowance and dearness relief for employees and pensioners two times a year, under the 7th Pay Commission. The first DA increase is usually increased in the month of January while the second price hike takes place in the month of July.
Early this year, the government increased the DA and DR for central government employees and pensioners by 3%. This time too, the government employees are expecting the government could increase the DA and DR by at least 3%.
How Is the DA Hike Calculated?
The DA hike is usually based on All-India Consumer Price Index (AICPI). In the months of January, February and March 2022, AICPI stood at 125.1, 125 and 126, respectively. According to media reports, if the AICPI remains more than 126 in April, May and June, the government could increase the DA by 4%. The AICPI numbers for the months of April, May and June are yet to come.
By How Much DA will increase?
As of now, the DA for central government employees stands at 34% of their basic salary. So, if the government increased the DA by another 4%, the DA will stand at 38% for July 2022 and upcoming months till January 2023.