2023 handbook summarySource checked 15 October 2026
Dearness Allowance for Army Officers
Dearness Allowance is revised on 1 January and 1 July each year. Under the Seventh Central Pay Commission, it is calculated on basic pay in the matrix level plus Military Service Pay and Non-Practicing Allowance where applicable . Later percentages come from Ministry of Finance orders listed below.
Jump to the DA arrears calculator8th Pay Commission: official status
Overview
Dearness Allowance is revised on 1 January and 1 July each year. Under the Seventh Central Pay Commission, it is calculated on basic pay in the matrix level plus Military Service Pay and Non-Practicing Allowance where applicable (2023 handbook, printed p. 130; PDF p. 141). Later percentages come from Ministry of Finance orders listed below.
What the handbook says
The source describes DA as sanctioned twice yearly, payable from 1 January and 1 July. For the revised pay structure, its calculation base is pay in the prescribed matrix level plus Military Service Pay and Non-Practicing Allowance, if applicable; it excludes other pay such as special pay (2023 handbook, printed p. 130; PDF p. 141).
DA remains a separate element of remuneration rather than pay within the Defence Forces pay rules. During paid leave it follows the leave salary actually drawn, while leave without pay and allowances does not carry DA (2023 handbook, printed pp. 130-131; PDF pp. 141-142).
What this means
The percentage must come from the Government order covering the relevant effective date. The 2023 handbook explains the calculation base but does not by itself establish DA percentages after its publication cut-off.
Who this applies to
- DA applies to pay elements expressly included by the governing order.
- Special pay and other unlisted pay elements are outside the calculation base described by the source.
- Leave without pay and allowances does not carry DA under the source summary (2023 handbook, printed p. 130; PDF p. 141).
Rates and dates
Current rate: 60% from 1 January 2026 (Ministry of Finance OM 1/1(i)/2026-E.II(B), 22 April 2026; PIB PRID 2253245). The July 2026 revision had not been notified in an official order at last review (15 October 2026).
The 2023 handbook table runs from nil on 1 January 2016 to 42% on 1 January 2023. It marks some 2020-2021 figures as frozen or notional for retirement- benefit purposes (2023 handbook, printed p. 130; PDF p. 141).
Subsequent revisions verified against Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) orders and matching Press Information Bureau cabinet notes:
| Effective date | DA rate | Government order (Dept of Expenditure) | Public announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2023 | 42% | (2023 handbook baseline) | n/a |
| 1 July 2023 | 46% | 1/4/2023-E.II(B) (see note below) | PIB PRID 1968727, 26 October 2023 |
| 1 January 2024 | 50% | 1/1/2024-E.II(B), 12 March 2024 | PIB PRID 2012369, 14 March 2024 |
| 1 July 2024 | 53% | 1/5/2024-E.II(B), 21 October 2024 | PIB PRID 2065315, 21 October 2024 |
| 1 January 2025 | 55% | 1/1(1)/2025-E.II(B), 2 April 2025 | PIB PRID 2116184, 2 April 2025 |
| 1 July 2025 | 58% | 1/4(i)/2025-E.II(B), 6 October 2025 | PIB PRID 2173541, 6 October 2025 |
| 1 January 2026 | 60% | 1/1(i)/2026-E.II(B), 22 April 2026 | PIB PRID 2253245, 22 April 2026 |
Note on 1 July 2023: Order number 1/4/2023-E.II(B) is cited in the body of the January 2024 order (1/1/2024-E.II(B)) as the prior DA sanction; the 46% rate and 1 July 2023 effective date match PIB PRID 1968727.
Orders are issued by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, and
are commonly hosted on doe.gov.in and mirrored on departmental sites. Treat
the order PDF as the authority for calculation and arrears; PIB releases
announce cabinet approval and the headline rate.
What you may need
The cited source page does not state a separate claim-document checklist. Pay records must nevertheless identify the included pay elements and the effective DA order used for calculation.
Authorities and source references
- Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure: periodic DA orders on 1 January and 1 July (order numbers listed above for 2023-2026).
- 2023 PCDA(O) handbook: calculation base and pre-July 2023 historical table only.
Related guidance
About this guidance
This is a plain-language summary for general information. It is not an official order or an authority for a claim. Confirm the applicable order and your individual eligibility with the competent authority or PCDA(O) before acting.
DA arrears calculator
Estimate the monthly DA difference and total arrears when a new DA rate is notified with retrospective effect. Rates come only from the table on this page. Works in your browser; nothing is saved or sent.
Months for which the new rate is due but the old rate was paid.
Enter your basic pay to see the monthly difference, the total arrears and the working.
Estimate only. This assumes the same basic pay and MSP for every month and ignores increments, promotions, leave without pay and rounding rules. It does not cover Non-Practising Allowance or deductions. The official calculation by PCDA(O) prevails over this estimate. For the 8th Pay Commission, see the official-status explainer.