The latest directives from the department of personnel and training outline a comprehensive array of allowances accessible to Central government employees. All the changes have been detailed in the Office Memorandum (OM) issued on 2 April, 2024.
Stemming from the thorough examination and recommendations of the 7th Pay
Commission in 2016, these allowances encompass various sectors, including railway workers, civilian defence personnel and defence personnel.
Furthermore, notable allowances applicable to Central government employees comprise dearness allowance (DA), house rent allowance (HRA), transport allowance and children’s education allowance, travelling allowance, deputation allowance, as well as fixed medical allowance for pensioners. It also includes higher qualification allowance, leave travel concession, and non-practicing allowance.
As per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission after its thorough assessment in 2016, all benefits, including those for railway workers, civilian defence workers and defence personnel, have been revised.
Recently, DA has been raised by four per cent for Central government employees, and DR has also been increased by four per cent for central government pensioners. This revised DA is effective from 1 January, 2024.
Furthermore, the memorandum encapsulates the main aspects of the instructions concerning children’s education allowance, risk allowance, night duty allowance (NDA), overtime allowance (OTA), special allowance payable to Parliament Assistants, and special allowance for child care for women with disabilities.
Additionally, this special allowance grants Rs 3000 per month until the child is two years old, with increments tied to dearness allowance rises.
The children education allowance (CEA) introduced in accordance with the recommendations of the 7th CPC allows for reimbursement for the education of the two eldest surviving children, with hostel subsidy capped at Rs 6,750 per month.
Risk allowance, revamped based on 7th CPC recommendations, is granted to Central government employees undertaking hazardous duties, with no inclusion in pay calculations.
Furthermore, NDA applies to duty between 22:00 and 6:00 hours, with a 10-minute weightage per hour. The basic pay ceiling for NDA entitlement is Rs 43,600 per month.
Special allowance payable to Parliament Assistants sees a 50 per cent increase as per 7th CPC recommendations, paid at full or half rates based on Parliament session duration.