Dearness Allowance Increased to 58% for Armed Forces Personnel from July 1, 2025: MoD Order Issued

Dearness Allowance Increased to 58% for Armed Forces Personnel from July 1, 2025: MoD Order Issued

Ministry of Defence (MoD) has officially announced a hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank, including Non-Combatants (Enrolled).

As per the latest order issued by the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) on October 9, 2025, the DA has been increased from 55% to 58% of the basic pay, effective from July 1, 2025.

ALSO READ:- Defence Minister approves 100% increase in Financial Assistance for Ex-Servicemen and their Families

The decision follows the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) order dated October 6, 2025, which revised the DA rates for Central Government employees. The MoD has implemented the same benefit for defence personnel to ensure parity with civilian employees.

According to the order, “Basic Pay” refers to the pay drawn in the prescribed Level in the Pay Matrix as per the 7th Central Pay Commission recommendations. It does not include any other form of pay such as special pay or allowances.

The DA will continue to remain a separate component of remuneration and will not be treated as part of basic pay under defence pay rules. Payments involving fractions of 50 paise and above will be rounded off to the next higher rupee, while smaller fractions will be ignored.

This order has been issued with the approval of MoD (Finance), as noted in their concurrence dated October 8, 2025. The increase aims to help defence personnel cope with rising living costs and maintain parity with other central government employees who have already received the same DA revision.

The revised 58% DA rate will benefit thousands of Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, providing timely financial relief ahead of the festive season.