Diwali Bonus Bonanza: UP government announces 3% hike in DA, DR for state employees; hikes in other states

DA Hike Announcement: Diwali, the festival of lights, is here, and on this occasion, the Uttar Pradesh government has given a festive gift to the people. The CM Yogi government on Friday announced a hike in dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) for state employees and pensioners. The rates have been increased from 55 per cent to 58 per cent, which will be effective from July 1, 2025, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.

In a post shared on X (earlier known as Twitter), CM Yogi said, "The Government of Uttar Pradesh has increased the rate of dearness allowance and dearness relief for state employees and pensioners/family pensioners from 55% to 58% effective from 01 July, 2025."

उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार ने राज्य कर्मचारियों और पेंशनरों/पारिवारिक पेंशनरों के महंगाई भत्ते व महंगाई राहत की दर 55% को 01 जुलाई, 2025 से बढ़ाकर 58% कर दिया है।

महापर्व दीपावली के अवसर पर यह निर्णय लगभग 28 लाख कर्मयोगियों और पेंशनरों के जीवन में संतोष, सुरक्षा और समृद्धि का दीप जलाने…

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 17, 2025

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Calling the decision a catalyst of security and prosperity for state government employees and retired employees during the festive season, CM Yogi said, "On the occasion of the great festival of Deepavali, this decision will serve as a catalyst for improving the standard of living while lighting the lamp of satisfaction, security, and prosperity in the lives of approximately 28 lakh dedicated workers and pensioners. Congratulations to all!"

Earlier, CM Yogi had announced a "bonus" for 14.82 lakh state employees before Diwali. The state government will bear an expenditure of Rs 1,022 crore for this. According to the report of the Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh, a bonus of up to Rs 6,908 will be given per employee on the basis of 30 days' salary.

Along with this, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Tuesday announced ad hoc bonus for about six lakh employees of the state government on the occasion of Diwali. The CM said that this bonus will also be available to employees in pay level L-12, or those with a grade pay of Rs 4,800 or less. He said that each eligible employee will receive an ad hoc bonus of a maximum of Rs 6,774.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister wrote, "Special Gift for State Government Employees on the Occasion of Diwali! Our government, dedicated to good governance, has announced the provision of an ad hoc bonus for approximately 6 lakh employees on the auspicious occasion of Diwali."

"This bonus will be given to those state government employees who are working at pay level L-12 or grade pay ₹4800 and below on the salary scales. Each eligible employee will receive a maximum ad hoc bonus of ₹6774. The benefit of this decision will also extend to employees of Panchayat Samiti and District Council," the CM further wrote.

Earlier, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel had decided to give Class IV employees an ad hoc bonus of up to Rs 7,000, making their Diwali even happier. Approximately 16,921 Class IV employees will receive an ad hoc bonus of up to Rs 7,000. This includes employees working under state cabinet departments, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Whip, Deputy Whip, Deputy Chief Whip as well as those in panchayats, university-affiliated colleges, grant-in-aid schools and colleges, and Class-4 employees in state government boards and corporations, where the respective boards or corporations do not otherwise provide bonuses, according to the release from Gujarat CMO.

With ANI Inputs