Union Cabinet April 2026: DA Hike, Rail Projects, RELIEF Scheme
Why in the news
A Cabinet meeting led by the Prime Minister took three decisions touching government staff pay, rail capacity and exporters hit by West Asia disruptions.
Key facts
| Decision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief | Increase of 2 percentage points, taking them to 60%, applicable from January 2026 |
| Rail capacity | ₹24,815 crore of multitracking works, spread over Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh |
| RELIEF scheme | Coverage widened to Egypt and Jordan to help exporters through West Asia disruptions |
Exam angle
- New DA/DR rate: 60%; effective from January 2026.
- Rail outlay: ₹24,815 crore; states: Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
- RELIEF scheme countries added: Egypt and Jordan.