West Bengal Govt Employees to Get October Salary in Advance With Increased DA

West Bengal government employees are set to receive their October salary ahead of the Durga Puja holidays, along with the increased dearness allowance announced by the state government.

The move follows an earlier announcement by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari that the additional 20 per cent DA would be implemented from October and that the October salary would be released before the Puja holidays. A government notification issued on September 23 said employees, pensioners and family pensioners would receive their October payments by October 15, ahead of the October 16 holiday.

DA to rise to 38% from October

The additional 20 per cent DA takes effect from October 1, 2026. With the increase, the DA rate for eligible state government employees is set to reach 38 per cent of basic pay. The revised rate also applies to eligible employees of government-aided institutions, statutory bodies and other specified organisations under the relevant orders.

Salary and pension payments before Puja

The September 23 notification brings forward the October payment schedule. Government employees will receive their October salary by October 15, while pensioners and family pensioners will also receive their payments by the same date. The schedule places the payments before the Durga Puja holiday beginning on October 16.

The advance payment is separate from the longer-term issue of the state's pay structure. The government has also constituted a Seventh Pay Commission, whose recommendations are expected to be considered after the commission submits its report.

What employees should note

The exact credit date can vary according to the employee's department, bank and applicable payment process. The revised DA is effective from October 1, while the advance salary and pension schedule is set for payment by October 15 under the latest notification.