Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant relief for employees, the Kerala government has increased the Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) from 22% to 25%.

The enhanced DA will be paid with February 2026 salaries, while the increased DR will be disbursed with March pensions, according to an order from the Finance Department.

The DA revision applies to State government employees, teachers, staff of aided schools, private colleges and polytechnics, full-time contingent employees, and local government staff. The DR hike covers State service pensioners, family pensioners, ex-gratia pensioners, and ex-gratia family pensioners.

The order also stated that any additional expenditure for local governments will be met from their own funds.

Earlier, Finance Minister KN Balagopal had stated in the State Budget that the government would resolve the delays and issues affecting the timely disbursement of DA and DR.