DA/DR Hike 2026: Punjab 8% Increase and Andhra Pradesh Cumulative 4.55% Revision

DA/DR Hike 2026: In September 2026, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh announced important revisions in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for eligible government employees and pensioners.

Punjab has increased DA from 42% to 50%, representing an 8 percentage-point increase. Andhra Pradesh, however, has issued two separate DA revisions of 2.73 and 1.82 percentage points. Together, these revisions amount to a cumulative increase of 4.55 percentage points.

Punjab DA Hike 2026

Punjab has increased the DA rate for eligible state government employees from 42% to 50%. The revised rate is effective from September 1, 2026.

• Old DA: 42%
• New DA: 50%
• Increase: 8 percentage points
• Effective from: September 1, 2026
• DR for pensioners: Increased from 42% to 50%
• Payment: With the salary/pension payable for September 2026 in October

How much will Punjab employees benefit?

The actual increase depends on the employee's Basic Pay. For example, if the Basic Pay is ₹30,000, an 8 percentage-point increase would result in an additional DA of approximately ₹2,400 per month.

Note: This is only an illustration. Actual payment depends on the applicable service and pay rules.

Andhra Pradesh DA Hike 2026

Andhra Pradesh has issued two separate DA revisions. Therefore, describing it as a single 4.55% DA hike would be misleading.

First DA Revision – 2.73%

• DA: 37.31% to 40.04%
• Increase: 2.73 percentage points
• Effective from: July 1, 2024
• Cash payment: With September 2026 salary payable in October 2026

Second DA Revision – 1.82%

• DA: 40.04% to 41.86%
• Increase: 1.82 percentage points
• Effective from: January 1, 2025
• Cash payment: With September 2026 salary payable in October 2026

What is the total DA increase in Andhra Pradesh?

The two revisions together result in:

2.73% + 1.82% = 4.55 percentage points

As a result, the DA rate moves from 37.31% to 41.86%. However, the 4.55 percentage-point increase is cumulative and comes through two separate government orders rather than one single revision.

DR for Andhra Pradesh Pensioners

Corresponding Dearness Relief revisions have also been issued for eligible pensioners and family pensioners. The revisions correspond to the two separate DA increases of 2.73 and 1.82 percentage points.

When will the revised amount be paid?

The revised DA/DR amounts relating to September 2026 will be reflected in the salary or pension payable in October 2026. In Andhra Pradesh, arrears relating to the earlier effective dates are subject to the separate payment schedule prescribed by the government orders.

DA/DR Hike 2026 – Key Details

Conclusion

The September 2026 DA/DR revisions are significant for eligible government employees and pensioners in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. Punjab has increased DA from 42% to 50%, while Andhra Pradesh has increased DA from 37.31% to 41.86% through two separate revisions.

Therefore, the accurate description for Andhra Pradesh is a cumulative 4.55 percentage-point increase through two separate revisions, rather than a single 4.55% DA hike.

FAQs

How much has Punjab DA increased?

Punjab DA has increased from 42% to 50%, an increase of 8 percentage points.

From when is the Punjab DA increase effective?

The revised DA is effective from September 1, 2026.

How much has Andhra Pradesh DA increased?

Andhra Pradesh has implemented two revisions of 2.73 and 1.82 percentage points, giving a cumulative increase of 4.55 percentage points.

Was Andhra Pradesh DA increased by 4.55% in one order?

No. The 4.55 percentage-point figure is the combined increase from two separate revisions.

Will pensioners also receive the benefit?

Yes. Corresponding DR revisions have been issued for eligible pensioners and family pensioners.