DA hike from 53% to 55% approved by the cabinet; will it be merged with basic pay before the upcoming 8th Pay Commission?

Dearness Allowance Increased: The central government has approved a 2% hike in dearness allowance (DA) for its employees, raising it from 53% to 55% of their basic pay. The dearness relief for pensioners, or DR, will also be hiked by 2%. Central government employees and pensioners will receive their arrears for January and February along with their salaries for March 2025.