8th Pay Commission: Millions of central government employees and pensioners waiting for the much‑anticipated Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) hike under the 8th Pay Commission have got a shock of their lifetime.
What has the 8th Pay Commission hinted?
The 8th Pay Commission has hinted that the DA and DR hike for the 8th CPC may be lower than expected. As per the latest data from the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI‑IW) for November 2025, the current trend points only a marginal increase of 2 percent, effective from January 1 2026.
Is this the final verdict?
These figures are provisional as of now and may or may not change. However, they do serve as a realistic preview of what central government employees and pensioners can expect. It is likely that the final percentage of DA and DR would be confirmed only after the CPI‑IW data for December 2025 is officially released by the Labour Bureau.
What Does a 2% DA/DR Hike Mean?
A hike of 2 percent is relatively modest for millions of central government employees and pensioners compared to expectations. Many had hoped for at least a hike of 3 to 4 percent with fuel rates, food prices and essential commodities continuing to climb with every passing day.
What’s Next?
If the December 2025 CPI‑IW rises sharply, the DA/DR percentage could inch up slightly. However, expectations remain tempered as of now.
