Updated Mar 09, 2021 | 19:13 IST The government withheld three DA instalments due to employees from January 1, 2021, in an announcement last year in view of Covid-19 panedemic 7th Pay Commission: Central govt employees to get 3 pending DA installments from July Key Highlights Govt announced increased DA rate from 17% to 21% on January 1 last year to be applicable from July 2020 However increased DA installments were postponed amid Covid-19 pandemic till April 2021 Increased rate will now be applicable from July 2021 The Finance Ministry on Tuesday gave central government employees and pensioners reason to cheer as it said the three pending instalments of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) will be restored prospectively from July 2021.