DA Calculator
Enter your basic pay to see how much Dearness Allowance you're receiving at the current rate.
Enter your basic pay above to see your DA.
Figures last checked 20 August 2026 against official notifications. Full sources & verification notes →
How DA is actually calculated
Dearness Allowance compensates central government employees for inflation. The rate is revised twice a year — effective 1 January and 1 July — based on the 12-month average of the All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW). The formula the government uses to set the percentage is:
DA% = [(12-month average AICPI-IW × 2.88) − 261.4] ÷ 261.4 × 100
Once the percentage is fixed, the amount you actually receive is simple: Basic Pay × DA% ÷ 100, rounded to the nearest rupee (fractions of 50 paise and above round up; below 50 paise are dropped — confirmed directly from the DA order itself).
DA at a few common pay levels
A quick reference if you'd rather match your own basic pay to a nearby figure than type it in.
| Basic pay | DA at 60% (current) | DA at 58% (previous) |
|---|---|---|
| ₹18,000 | ₹10,800 | ₹10,440 |
| ₹35,400 | ₹21,240 | ₹20,532 |
| ₹44,900 | ₹26,940 | ₹26,042 |
| ₹56,100 | ₹33,660 | ₹32,538 |
| ₹78,800 | ₹47,280 | ₹45,704 |
Frequently asked questions
What counts as "Basic Pay" for this calculation?
The pay drawn in your Pay Matrix Level — not gross salary, and not Basic + DA. It excludes Non-Practising Allowance, Military Service Pay, and other special pay, per the same DA order this calculator cites.
Is Dearness Allowance taxable?
Yes. DA is fully taxable as part of salary income under the Income Tax Act — it does not get the same treatment as some housing or travel allowances.
Does DA apply to pensioners?
Central government pensioners receive Dearness Relief (DR), a related but separately-notified rate. This calculator covers serving employees' Dearness Allowance only.
How often does the DA rate change?
Twice a year, effective 1 January and 1 July, based on the 12-month average All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW). The actual order is usually issued 2-4 months after each effective date.
Why does my payslip show a different DA amount?
Some categories of employees (e.g. those drawing Non-Practising Allowance) have DA calculated on a different base than plain Basic Pay. This calculator covers the standard case only — see the assumptions note below the result.
Related tools
Number formatting note: figures are shown in Indian digit grouping (₹1,23,456) and rounded to the nearest rupee, matching how DA is actually paid.