The Union Cabinet approved a 3-percentage-point hike in Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners, effective July 1, 2026. The increase will benefit 48.54 lakh employees and 68.71 lakh pensioners, costing Rs 10,016.10 crore annually. New Delhi: In a relief for millions amid the ongoing festive season, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central.