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DA Hike January 2026: Central Govt Likely To Receive 2% Increase In Dearness Allowance
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DA Hike January 2026: The Union Cabinet is expected to clear the DA revision in early March 2026, possibly in the first or second week, ahead of Holi.
DA Hike January 2026: If 2% hike approved, DA and dearness relief (DR) will rise from the current 58% to about 60% of Basic Pay.
DA Hike January 2026: Central government employees and pensioners are likely to see only a marginal increase in dearness allowance (DA) from January 1, 2026, with the hike expected to be capped at 2%. If approved, DA and dearness relief (DR) will rise from the current 58% to about 60% of Basic Pay, marking a restrained start to the 8th Pay Commission phase.
The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to clear the DA revision in early March 2026, possibly in the first or second week, ahead of Holi. This will also be the first DA hike after the formal conclusion of the 7th Pay Commission on December 31, 2025.
Inflation numbers leave little room for a higher DA
The final DA calculation hinges on the All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for December 2025, released by the Labour Bureau. The index remained unchanged at 148.2 points, mirroring the November reading.
With December data in place, the 12-month average CPI-IW for the July–December 2025 period stands at 419.17 points. Applying the existing 7th Pay Commission formula, the DA works out to 60.34%. Following established convention, the government is expected to drop the decimal and notify DA/DR at 60% with effect from January 1, 2026.
Smallest increase seen in several years
A 2% DA hike is relatively uncommon and has been witnessed only a few times in the past decade. The last such low increases were recorded in July 2018 and January 2025.
As a result, the upcoming January 2026 revision will be among the lowest DA hikes in more than seven years, even though inflation has remained elevated rather than easing sharply.
A transition-period DA hike with long-term consequences
The January 2026 DA revision carries greater weight than usual because it comes during a transition between two pay commissions. The 7th Pay Commission has completed its tenure, while the 8th Pay Commission, though constituted, is still in the early stages of its work.
There is no clarity yet on when the 8th Pay Commission’s recommendations will be implemented. With the commission having up to 18 months to submit its report — and the government typically taking additional time to examine it — actual pay and pension revisions may only come by late 2027 or early 2028.
Why slower DA growth is worrying employees
Employee unions are increasingly concerned that subdued DA increases now could limit salary revisions later. When a new pay commission is implemented, the prevailing DA is usually merged into Basic Pay, and DA is reset to zero.
With DA expected to touch only 60% in January 2026 and rise gradually thereafter, the quantum available for merger under the 8th Pay Commission could remain modest. This is why expectations around the fitment factor are now more conservative, with estimates clustering around 1.60.
Lower DA at the time of merger can permanently cap revised Basic Pay and pensions, making even small differences in DA levels significant over the long term.
DA revisions before 8th CPC will set the base
The DA hikes due in January 2026, July 2026, January 2027 and July 2027 will collectively determine the DA level that eventually gets merged into pay when the 8th Pay Commission structure is rolled out.
This makes the January 2026 hike, despite being limited to 2%, an important building block for future salary and pension calculations.
Unclear rollout timeline adds to anxiety
In earlier pay commission transitions, implementation timelines were more predictable. The 7th Pay Commission, for instance, came into effect from January 1, 2016, immediately after the end of the 6th Pay Commission.
This time, the government has not committed to any effective date for the 8th Pay Commission. A question raised in Parliament during the Winter Session on whether revised pay scales would be applicable from January 1, 2026 did not elicit a clear response, adding to fears of a prolonged gap period.
How DA is worked out
Dearness Allowance is designed to offset inflationary pressures on salaries and pensions. Under the 7th Pay Commission framework, DA is calculated using the formula:
DA (%) = (12-month average CPI-IW – 261.42) ÷ 261.42 × 100
DA is revised twice every year, in January and July, based on CPI-IW trends.
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February 08, 2026, 13:53 IST
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Noida International Airport inauguration: Delhi-NCR gets new airport – all you need to know – The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Phase I of the Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in India’s expanding aviation infrastructure.PM Modi was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel.
Developed at an investment of around Rs 11,200 crore under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model, the project is expected to enhance both regional and international connectivity for the National Capital Region (NCR).The airport is being positioned as a key addition to India’s aviation network, aimed at easing pressure on existing infrastructure while supporting the country’s ambition of becoming a global aviation hub.
Second international gateway for Delhi NCR
Noida International Airport has been developed as the second international gateway for Delhi NCR, complementing the existing Indira Gandhi International Airport, which currently handles the majority of the region’s air traffic.
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With rising passenger demand and capacity constraints at IGI Airport, the new facility is expected to play a crucial role in distributing traffic more efficiently.Together, the two airports will function as an integrated aviation system, helping reduce congestion, improve connectivity, and enhance the region’s standing among leading global aviation hubs.
Phase I capacity and future expansion plans
Phase I of the airport is designed to handle 12 million passengers per annum (MPPA), providing immediate relief to the region’s growing air travel demand.The project has been planned with scalability in mind, with provisions to expand capacity to 70 million passengers annually in subsequent phases. This long-term vision reflects the government’s strategy to future-proof infrastructure and accommodate sustained growth in air travel.
Modern infrastructure and all-weather operations
The airport features a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, making it suitable for both domestic and international long-haul operations.
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Equipped with advanced navigation systems such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and modern airfield lighting, the facility is designed to support efficient, all-weather, round-the-clock operations. These features ensure operational reliability even under challenging weather conditions.
Cargo hub and logistics ecosystem
In addition to passenger services, the airport includes a comprehensive cargo ecosystem aimed at strengthening logistics and trade.The Multi-Modal Cargo Hub comprises an Integrated Cargo Terminal and dedicated logistics zones, with an initial handling capacity of over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually. This capacity is expected to expand significantly to around 18 lakh metric tonnes in the future, positioning the airport as a major cargo and logistics centre in North India.
Dedicated MRO facility to enhance efficiency
A key component of the airport’s infrastructure is a 40-acre Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.This dedicated facility is expected to improve operational efficiency by enabling airlines to service and maintain aircraft locally, reducing turnaround times and operational costs. It also strengthens India’s capabilities in aviation maintenance services.
Sustainability and future-ready design
Noida International Airport has been designed as a sustainable and future-ready infrastructure project, with a focus on achieving net-zero emissions.The project incorporates energy-efficient systems and environmentally responsible practices, aligning with India’s broader climate goals. The airport’s development reflects a growing emphasis on green infrastructure in large-scale projects.
Architecture inspired by Indian heritage
Blending modern infrastructure with cultural aesthetics, the airport’s architectural design draws inspiration from traditional Indian elements such as ghats and havelis.This approach aims to create a distinctive identity for the airport while offering passengers a sense of place rooted in Indian heritage.
Strategic location and multi-modal connectivity
Strategically located along the Yamuna Expressway in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, the airport is planned as a multi-modal transport hub.It will feature seamless integration with road, rail, metro and regional transit systems, ensuring smooth connectivity for passengers and cargo. This connectivity is expected to significantly improve accessibility for travellers across Delhi NCR and neighbouring regions.
Boost to India’s aviation ambitions
The inauguration of Phase I of Noida International Airport is being seen as a major step in strengthening India’s aviation ecosystem.By expanding capacity, improving connectivity, and integrating modern infrastructure with sustainability, the project is expected to play a key role in positioning Delhi NCR as a major global aviation hub while supporting economic growth and regional development
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Petrol, diesel prices: How US-Iran war, excise cuts and global oil prices affect you & economy – top things to know – The Times of India
Petrol prices today: Petrol prices in New Delhi on Saturday remained unchanged at Rs 94.77 per litre, while diesel is steady at Rs 87.67 per litre. Similarly, Mumbai sees petrol at Rs 103.54 per litre and diesel at Rs 90.03, with no change from yesterday. The government has cut excise duty on petrol and diesel The conflict in West Asia has triggered sharp increases in international crude oil prices. Since February 28, when US and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian facilities, Brent crude briefly surged to $119 per barrel before easing to around $100. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) similarly rose from $70 pre-conflict to over $92, creating supply shocks globally.The ongoing US-Iran conflict has disrupted oil supply chains and sent crude prices soaring worldwide. India’s oil dependenceIndia imports around 88% of its crude oil requirements, with nearly half transported through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime strait located between Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.Any disruption here poses an immediate risk to domestic fuel availability. Tehran’s warnings to vessels and insurer withdrawals have complicated tanker movement, impacting supply.Excise duty cut by governmentTo shield consumers from rising global crude prices, the Centre slashed excise duty on petrol from Rs 13 to Rs 3 per litre and removed it entirely on diesel (from Rs 10). The reduction aims to maintain stable retail prices and prevent a direct burden on citizens.No price hike or cutThe excise duty cut will not result in petrol and diesel prices at the pump going down, since the intent of the cut is to prevent the need for a hike in prices in line with international rates. Oil marketing companies (OMCs) are absorbing the higher input costs, ensuring that retail prices do not spike amid global volatility.Financial implications of duty cutsCBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi said this reduction is expected to result in a revenue loss of about Rs 7,000 crore over the next 15 days. This measure offsets potential increases of Rs 24 per litre for petrol and Rs 30 per litre for diesel that would have been necessary due to rising international crude prices.Cargo and export measuresThe government imposed export duties of Rs 21.5 per litre on diesel and Rs 29.5 per litre on ATF to ensure domestic availability and prevent windfall gains in international markets.Chaturvedi said on Friday that the government will reassess the special additional excise duty, also known as windfall tax, on diesel and aviation turbine fuel every two weeks. Addressing the media, he explained that the levy has been introduced to ensure sufficient domestic supply of these fuels.He noted that the government expects to collect around Rs 1,500 crore from this duty in the first fortnight. To discourage overseas sales and prioritise local availability, export duties of Rs 21.5 per litre on diesel and Rs 29.5 per litre on aviation turbine fuel have been imposed, with the revised rates coming into force from Friday.The windfall tax was initially introduced in July 2022 to limit extraordinary gains made by refiners after the Russia-Ukraine conflict and was later withdrawn in December 2024. Private retailer pricing variationsNayara Energy, India’s largest private fuel retailer, increased petrol by Rs 5 per litre and diesel by Rs 3 per litre at its 6,967 outlets to offset input costs. In contrast, Jio-BP, operating 2,185 outlets, has maintained retail prices despite significant losses.Strategic domestic measuresPrime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the Rajya Sabha said that India maintains strategic reserves of 53 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, with plans to expand to over 65 lakh MT.Ethanol blending has reduced crude oil imports by 4.5 crore barrels annually. Increased refining capacity, metro expansion and railway electrification have also reduced dependency on diesel, helping stabilize domestic fuel consumption.Diplomatic efforts and global sourcingPM Modi has been actively engaging with Iran, the US, and other countries to secure safe transit of oil and LPG tankers. India has diversified import sources from 27 to 41 countries and procured Russian crude to fill supply gaps.The government has also constituted seven empowered groups to manage fuel, supply chains, and logistics.
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