Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma approves 3% DA hike for 12 lakh staff, pensioners
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma has handed over 12 lakh government employees and pensioners a Diwali gift worth ₹1,226 crore — a 3% DA hike taking the rate to 63%, plus an ad-hoc bonus for 6 lakh eligible staff. The arrears cover four months and will flow into GPF accounts, while cash payments land in December.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma approved a 3% DA hike on 30 October 2026 , raising DA/DR from 60% to 63% .
Over 7 lakh government employees and more than 5 lakh pensioners will benefit.
The revision is effective from 1 July 2026 under the 7th Pay Commission ; cash payment with November 2026 salary.
Arrears for July–October 2026 will be credited to General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts.
An ad-hoc bonus for 6 lakh eligible employees adds a further ₹406 crore in expenditure.
Combined additional financial burden on the state exchequer: approximately ₹1,226 crore .
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on 30 October 2026 approved a 3 per cent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for state government employees and pensioners, calling it a Diwali gift. The revision raises DA and DR from 60 per cent to 63 per cent, benefiting more than 7 lakh government employees and over 5 lakh pensioners across Rajasthan.
Key Details of the DA Revision
The revised DA and DR are applicable under the 7th Pay Commission and will take effect from 1 July 2026. Employees will receive the increased DA in cash alongside their November 2026 salary, payable in December. Arrears for the four-month period from 1 July to 31 October 2026 will be credited to employees' respective General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts. For pensioners, the enhanced Dearness Relief will be paid in cash with effect from 1 July 2026.
Ad-Hoc Bonus and Total Financial Impact
In a separate festive announcement, the state government also approved an ad-hoc bonus for approximately 6 lakh eligible employees, entailing an additional expenditure of ₹406 crore. The DA hike alone will impose an additional burden of approximately ₹820 crore on the state exchequer. Combined, the two announcements will result in a total additional outgo of around ₹1,226 crore for the Rajasthan government.
What the Government Said
Chief Minister Sharma stated that the state government was committed to safeguarding the interests and ensuring the welfare of government employees and pensioners. He described employees as 'an important link in the state's development and good governance,' adding that the government continued to take decisions recognising their contribution and keeping their welfare in mind.
Context and Significance
The announcement comes ahead of the Diwali festive season, a period when state governments across India have historically timed welfare measures to provide relief to public sector workers. This is consistent with a broader pattern of DA revisions following Central government notifications under the 7th Pay Commission framework, which most state governments align with. Notably, the revision applies to a combined beneficiary base of over 12 lakh individuals — a substantial portion of the organised workforce in Rajasthan. The ₹1,226 crore outlay will weigh on state finances at a time when fiscal consolidation remains a priority for several state governments.
What Happens Next
The enhanced DA will reflect in salary accounts from December 2026, while GPF credits for arrears are expected to be processed in the same cycle. Pensioners will begin receiving the revised DR from the July 2026 effective date in their next disbursement. Formal orders are expected to be issued by the state finance department shortly.
Point of View
But the ₹1,226 crore outgo is real money for a state that has historically run a stretched fiscal deficit. The decision to park arrears in GPF rather than pay them out in cash is telling — it limits the immediate liquidity hit while still generating the headline. What bears watching is whether the revision will be matched by a corresponding cut elsewhere in the capital budget, as Rajasthan has struggled to balance revenue spending with infrastructure commitments. The 7th Pay Commission alignment also signals that the state is keeping pace with Central revisions, reducing the risk of public sector labour unrest — a calculation that is as much political as it is administrative.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DA hike announced by Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma?
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma approved a 3 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief on 30 October 2026, raising the rate from 60% to 63% for state government employees and pensioners. The revision is effective from 1 July 2026 under the 7th Pay Commission framework.
Who benefits from the Rajasthan DA hike?
More than 7 lakh state government employees and over 5 lakh pensioners will benefit, bringing the total beneficiary count to over 12 lakh individuals across Rajasthan.
When will employees receive the revised DA?
Employees will receive the increased DA in cash with their November 2026 salary, payable in December. Arrears for the four months from 1 July to 31 October 2026 will be credited to their General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts.
How much will the DA hike and bonus cost the Rajasthan exchequer?
The DA and DR revision will impose an additional burden of approximately ₹820 crore, while the ad-hoc bonus for around 6 lakh eligible employees will cost ₹406 crore. Together, the two measures add up to a total additional outgo of roughly ₹1,226 crore.
What is the ad-hoc bonus announced alongside the DA hike?
The Rajasthan government approved an ad-hoc bonus for approximately 6 lakh eligible state government employees as part of the same festive package. This bonus entails an additional expenditure of ₹406 crore on the state exchequer.
