7th Pay Commission pay matrix: How will 28% Dearness Allowance (DA) hike impact salary? Check calculation

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Dearness Allowance Hike Impact on Salary of Central Government Employees: After more than one year of the freeze on the Dearness Allowance (DA) hike, the Central Government this week (14th July) increased the Dearness Allowance (DA) rate for Central Government Employees to 28 per cent from July 1, 2021. The Government had frozen the three additional instalments of the DA, which were due from January 1, 2020, July 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021.

The Union Cabinet said in a statement on July 14 that the Government decided to increase the Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees with effect from 01.07.2021 to 28 per cent, representing an increase of 11 per cent over the existing rate of 17 per cent of the Basic Pay. The DA increase reflected the additional instalments arising on January 1, 2020, July 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021.

How will monthly salary increase post DA hike?

The 11 per cent increase in DA rate is set to put more money in the hands of Central Government Employees. However, it is to be noted that this hike would be calculated on the Basic Pay of the employees.

For example: Suppose an employee was getting Rs 100 as basic pay. The DA amount at 17 per cent rate for him was Rs 17. Now, the total DA he will get will be 28 per cent of Rs 100 i.e. Rs 28.

Also Read | Modi Govt increases Dearness Allowance to 28% for Central Government Employees

The minimum basic pay recommended for Central Government Employees at the entry-level by the 7th Pay Commission is Rs 18,000. Till 30th June 2021, at the 17 per cent DA rate, such employees were getting Rs 3060 as the dearness allowance. Now, at the 28 per cent rate, they will get Rs 5040 as the dearness allowance. This amounts to a total hike of Rs 1980 in monthly in-hand salary.

The new DA rate will be applicable from July salary and lead to a significant rise in monthly in-hand pay of Central Government Employees ahead of the festival season.

DR Hike

Apart from DA, the Central Government has also increased the rate of Dearness Relief (DR) for Central Government pensioners to 28 per cent. This will also benefit those eligible for Central Government Family pension.