Central Cabinet Approves 2% DA Hike for Government Employees and Pensioners

In a recent cabinet meeting, the central government approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance for employees and pensioners, a decision linked to inflation adjustments. The announcement faced delays, raising concerns among unions. Prime Minister criticized the opposition for their stance on the Women's Reservation Bill, suggesting it reflects a negative attitude towards women. The cabinet also approved the establishment of a Sovereign Maritime Fund and extended the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana until 2028, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and support for Indian maritime operations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 18, 2026, 14:34 IST

Cabinet Meeting Outcomes

Following a recent cabinet meeting, sources indicate that the central government has sanctioned a 2% increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for both government employees and pensioners. This allowance is linked to inflation and is typically revised biannually, in January and July. The calculation is based on the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW), which is released monthly by the Labor Bureau under the Ministry of Labor.

Delay in Announcement

This time, however, the announcement was delayed. The Central Government Employees and Workers Union (CCGEW) expressed concerns, noting that such increases are usually announced by the end of September, with payments made at the beginning of October. During the meeting, the Prime Minister criticized the opposition for not supporting the Women's Reservation Bill, stating that their refusal was a significant error that would have political repercussions in the future.

Opposition's Stance on Women's Issues

He emphasized that the opposition's stance reflects a negative attitude towards women and stressed the importance of conveying this message to every village in the country. The Prime Minister further remarked that the opposition parties are now attempting to justify their opposition to the bill, effectively undermining the rights of women in the nation. Additionally, the cabinet approved the establishment of a Sovereign Maritime Fund with a budget of ₹13,000 crores, aimed at providing stable and affordable insurance coverage for Indian-flagged vessels and ships traveling to and from India. Furthermore, the cabinet extended the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) until 2028, allocating an additional ₹3,000 crores for this initiative.