Union Cabinet approves 3% dearness allowance rise for central staff and pensioners

The Union Cabinet has approved a 3% increase in dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) for central government employees and pensioners, according to reports published on 27 and 28 October 2026 (Amar Ujala, Jansatta, Haribhoomi). The rise takes DA from 60% to 63% of basic pay (Haribhoomi, Deshbandhu, Business Today), and several outlets say it applies from 1 July 2026 (Jansatta, Deshbandhu).

What every report agrees on

Every report that covered the decision says the cabinet cleared a 3% increase (Amar Ujala, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, Navbharat Times, Republic TV Bharat). They put the new rate at 63%, up from 60% (Jansatta, Dainik Bhaskar, Navbharat Times, Nav Pradesh). Amar Ujala and Good News Today put the cost to the exchequer at ₹10,016 crore (Amar Ujala, Good News Today). Haribhoomi reports that Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision (Haribhoomi), and Dainik Jagran says the cabinet met under Prime Minister Modi (Dainik Jagran). Many outlets presented the rise as a Diwali gift to employees (Navbharat Times, Haribhoomi, Republic TV Bharat, Good News Today). Before the decision, outlets reported that employees were waiting for the July 2026 revision (TV9 Bharatvarsh, Hindustan). Rajasthan Patrika noted that no DA announcement came at Dussehra, when only a non-performance-linked bonus was declared (Rajasthan Patrika), and TV9 Bharatvarsh expected a decision at a cabinet meeting on 28 October (TV9 Bharatvarsh).

What the record shows

None of the outlets in this story carries a published media-bias rating, so the coverage cannot be compared by political leaning. No report disputes the approval. Reports differ on how many people benefit. Jansatta says 1.6 crore current and former employees (Jansatta). Dainik Jagran says about 1 crore employees and pensioners (Dainik Jagran). Dainik Bhaskar, Haribhoomi and Nav Pradesh give about 48 lakh employees and 68 lakh pensioners (Dainik Bhaskar, Haribhoomi, Nav Pradesh). Republic TV Bharat gives 49.18 lakh employees and 64.89 lakh pensioners (Republic TV Bharat). Reports also differ on the day of the meeting. Dainik Bhaskar and Nav Pradesh say it was Tuesday 28 October (Dainik Bhaskar, Nav Pradesh), while Good News Today says Wednesday (Good News Today). Amar Ujala reported the approval in a piece dated 27 October (Amar Ujala). Deshbandhu says the new rate is reported as effective from 1 July 2026, but adds a caveat about final confirmation of the decision (Deshbandhu). Before the decision, Prabhat Khabar discussed four months of arrears (Prabhat Khabar), and Dainik Jagran asked whether the higher pay would arrive with November salaries (Dainik Jagran).

Drafted by the Alethman engine from 15 independent reports, and checked by an editor before publication. An outlet's side comes from published media-bias ratings (Media Bias/Fact Check, AllSides) or documented ownership, named under the coverage bar; Alethman does not rate outlets itself.