CM Vijay announces 2% DA hike for Tamil Nadu government employees, teachers

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday announced a 2 per cent increase in dearness allowance for state government employees and teachers. According to an official statement, the revised dearness allowance will come into effect from January 1, 2026, increasing the rate from 58 per cent to 60 per cent.

The state government stated that the revision would result in an additional annual expenditure of Rs 1,230 crore for the exchequer. Officials said the benefit would extend to nearly 16 lakh employees, teachers, pensioners, and family pensioners across the state. The government also confirmed that the required additional funds would be allocated for implementing the revised allowance.

In an official communication, the Tamil Nadu government said government employees and teachers play an important role in designing and implementing welfare schemes and administrative programmes. The statement added that the newly formed government remained committed to introducing and executing welfare measures for the people of the state.

The government also reiterated that welfare initiatives for employees, teachers, pensioners, and beneficiaries of various schemes would continue. Earlier, the administration had announced that the May 2026 instalment of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, providing Rs 1,000 assistance per beneficiary, would be credited to bank accounts while restructuring of the scheme was being planned.