The Government of India, through the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, issued an Office Memorandum dated April 24, 2026, revising the Dearness Relief (DR) payable to Central Government pensioners and family pensioners. The DR rate has been increased from 58% to 60% of the basic pension or family pension, including additional pension components, with effect from January 1, 2026. The revised rate applies to a wide range of beneficiaries, including Armed Forces pensioners, railway pensioners, All India Service pensioners, defence civilian pensioners, and those receiving provisional pensions. The memorandum also provides that any fractional amount in DR calculations shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee. It directs Accountant General offices and authorized pension disbursing banks to implement the revised rates immediately without waiting for further instructions. The order has been issued in accordance with Ministry of Finance guidelines and in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General where required.
No.42/02/2024-P&PW(D)/E-9475
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Date: 24th April, 2026
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: – Release of an additional installment of Dearness Relief (DR) to Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners – Revised rate with effect from 01st January, 2026 – reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 42/02/2024-P&PW(D) dated 8th October, 2025 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief admissible to Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 58% to 60% of the basic pension/family pension (including additional pension/additional family pension) w.e.f. 01st January, 2026.
2. These rates of DR will be applicable to all Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners including Armed Forces Pensioners/Family Pensioners and Civilian Pensioners/Family Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates; Railway Pensioners/Family Pensioners; All India Service Pensioners/Family Pensioners; Pensioners who are in receipt of Provisional Pension and also to those Pensioners/Family Pensioners covered under this Department’s OM No. 4/34/2002-P&PW(D)Vol.II dated 23rd June, 2017 and para 6 of this Department’s OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 11th September, 2017.
3. The payment of Dearness Relief involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.
4. The offices of Accountant General and authorized Pension Disbursing Banks are requested to arrange payment of Dearness Relief on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions in view of Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s letter No. 528- TA, II/34-80-11 dated 23rd April, 1981 and Reserve Bank of India’s Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated 218t May, 1981.
5. In so far as the persons serving in Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as mandated under Article 148(5) of the Constitution of India.
6. This issues in accordance with the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s OM No. l/1(i)/2026-E.II(B) dated 22nd April, 2026.
Hindi version will follow.
(Dr. Pramod Kumar)
Director
1. All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.
2. Chief Secretaries and AGs of all States/Las.
3. CMDs/CPPCs of all authorized Pension Disbursing Banks.
4. C&AG of India, UPSC, etc. as per standard endorsement list.
5. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for Information.
