New Delhi: The Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a 3% increase in dearness allowance (DA) for central employees ahead of Diwali and Dussehra. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav provided this information.
Several important decisions were also taken at the meeting. Important decisions included approving ₹11,440 crore for the ‘Mission on Self-Reliance in Pulses’ from 2025-31. Ashwini Vaishnav stated that the central government has approved a 3% increase in dearness allowance and dearness relief, effective July 1.
With this, the dearness allowance for employees has now increased from 55% to 58%. This increase will be effective from July 1, 2025. This is the second increase in dearness allowance this year. The government revises the dearness allowance twice a year.
What are DA and DR and how much was the last increase?
DA stands for Dearness Allowance. DR stands for Dearness Relief. DA and DR are an important component of government salaries and pensions. Their purpose is to mitigate the impact of inflation and maintain purchasing power. The government reviews them twice a year, in January and July. In March 2025, the central government increased DA and DR by 2 percent, effective January 1, 2025. 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) approved
On the Cabinet decisions, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the Union Cabinet has approved 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in the 17 states and union territories being covered. 20 KVs are proposed to be opened in districts where no KVs currently exist. 14 KVs are proposed in aspirational districts, 4 KVs in Left Wing Extremism districts, and 5 KVs in NER, hilly areas.
Rabi Season 2026-27
On the Cabinet decisions, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the estimated procurement during the Rabi season 2026-27 is likely to be 297 lakh metric tonnes and the amount to be paid to farmers at the proposed MSP is ₹84,263 crore. Cabinet Decision on NH-715 and Biomedical Research Career Program Phase 3
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the fifth major decision taken by the Union Cabinet today is the four-laning of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715 (86 km, ₹6,957 crore). This includes a 34 km-long elevated viaduct in Kaziranga National Park. Giving details of another decision, Ashwini Vaishnav said that the Biomedical Research Career Program Phase 3 has been approved by the Union Cabinet with an outlay of ₹1,500 crore. He also said that the Cabinet has approved the celebration of 150 years of the song Vande Mataram. Cabinet approves ₹11,440 crore for the ‘Self-Reliance Mission in Pulses’ from 2025-31
The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has approved the ‘Self-Reliance Mission in Pulses’. This is a historic initiative aimed at promoting domestic production and achieving self-sufficiency (atmanirbharta) in pulses.
According to a Cabinet release issued on Wednesday, this mission will be implemented with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore over six years from 2025-26 to 2030-31. Pulses have special importance in India’s crop systems and diet. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses. With rising incomes and living standards, pulse consumption has also increased. However, domestic production has not kept pace with demand, leading to a 15 to 20 percent increase in pulse imports.
The Cabinet release stated that to reduce this import dependence, meet growing demand, maximize production, and increase farmers’ incomes, a six-year “Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses” was announced in the Budget for FY 2025-26. This mission will adopt a comprehensive strategy encompassing research, seed systems, area expansion, procurement, and price stability. To make improved varieties widely available, 12.6 million quintals of certified seeds will be distributed to pulse-producing farmers across an area of 37 million hectares by 2030-31.
