Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami approves 3% DA hike for state employees, raises rate to 63%

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees, increasing the rate from 60% to 63% with effect from July 1, 2026.According to the chief minister's office, the Government of India had earlier raised the DA rate by 3% points to 63%, effective July 1, 2026, for employees drawing salaries under the 7th Central Pay Commission.Following the Centre's decision, Dhami approved the proposal to extend the same DA rate to state government employees.The decision will also benefit eligible employees working in local bodies, aided educational institutions, state universities and technical educational institutions, as well as those drawing salaries under UGC pay scales.Following the chief minister's approval, the difference in DA for the period between July 1, 2026, and October 31, 2026, will be paid to eligible employees in cash as arrears.The approval follows the Centre's announcement of a 3% DA hike for its employees, taking the rate from 60% to 63% with effect from July 1, 2026.The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the additional DA instalment for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners on October 28, providing relief amid rising prices.The revision is expected to benefit around 48.54 lakh Central Government employees and 68.71 lakh pensioners across the country.According to the Central Government, the combined annual financial implication of the DA and DR hike will be Rs 10,016.10 crore, adding to government expenditure.The additional DA and DR instalment was approved in line with the accepted formula based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.Dearness Allowance is paid to serving government employees to help offset the impact of inflation on their cost of living. Dearness Relief serves a similar purpose for pensioners, helping them manage the impact of rising prices on their pension income.With the latest revision, eligible Central Government employees and pensioners will receive an additional three percentage points over the earlier rate of 60% of their basic pay or pension, respectively.(With inputs from ANI)Stay updated with the latest Dehradun news. Download the TOI App.