The Government of India has announced a revision in the Dearness Relief (DR) rate for Central Government pensioners and family pensioners, effective from July 1, 2024. This update raises the DR rate from 50% to 53% of the basic pension or family pension, inclusive of additional pension. The increase applies to a broad range of beneficiaries, including civilian Central Government pensioners, Armed Forces pensioners, All India Service pensioners, Railway pensioners, provisional pension recipients, and certain groups of pensioners from Burma and Pakistan. The circular specifies that the calculation of DR payments, rounded up to the nearest rupee, must be completed by the relevant pension disbursing authorities, such as nationalized banks. It also mandates that arrears for DR will only be disbursed after October 2024 pension payments. For re-employed and family pensioners, DR will be governed by Rule 52 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. Separate instructions will be issued for retired judges by the Department of Justice. The Ministry of Finance and Comptroller and Auditor General of India have given approval for this update, and the responsibility for implementing it lies with the respective accounting and disbursing authorities across India.
No. 42/02/2024-P&PW (D)
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: – 30th October, 2024
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners — Revised rate effective from 01.07.2024-reg
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 42/02/2024-P&PW(D) dated 13.03.2024 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 50% to 53% of the basic pension/family pension (including additional pension/family pension) w.e.f 01st July, 2024.
2. These rates of DR will be applicable to the following categories:-
i. Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners including Central Govt. absorbee pensioners in PSU/Autonomous Bodies in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department’s OM No. 4/34/2002-P&PW(D)Vol.II dated 23.06.2017 for restoration of full pension after expiry of commutation period of 15 years.
ii. The Armed Forces Pensioners/Family Pensioners and Civilian Pensioners/Family Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates.
iii. All India Service Pensioners/Family Pensioners.
iv Railway Pensioners/Family Pensioners.
v. Pensioners who arc in receipt of provisional pension
vi. The Burma Civilian Pensioners/Family Pensioners and Pensioners/families of displaced Government Pensioners from Burma/ Pakistan, in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department’s OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 11.09.2017.
3. The payment of Dearness Relief involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.
4. The payment of arrears of Dearness Relief shall not be made before the date of disbursement of pension/family pension of October, 2024.
5. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and reemployed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in Rule 52 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 and this Department’s. OM No. 45/73/97-P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended from time to time. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension will remain unchanged.
6. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.
7. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.
8. The offices of Accountant General and authorised Pension Disbursing Banks are requested to arrange payment of Dearness Relief to Pensioners/Family Pensioners on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528- TA, II/34-80-11 dated 23/04/1981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21 st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.
9. In so far as the pensioners/family pensioners of 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.
10. This issues in accordance with the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s OM No. 1/5/2024-E-II(B) dated 21.10.2024 and approval of C&AG vide ID Note No. ………… PER)/AR/02-2020) dated 30.10.2024.
Hindi version will follow.
(Dhrubajyoti Sengupta )
Joint Secretary to the Government of India
1. All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India
2. C&AG of India, UPSC, etc. as per standard endorsement list.
3. Chief Secretaries and AGs of all States/UTs.
4. CMDs/CPPCs of all authorised Pension Disbursing Banks
5. Reserve Bank of India (RIM) for Information.
