Under the new rule, dress allowance will be calculated on the basis of a specific formula. The allowance will be calculated on the basis of your joining date. This will affect lakhs of employees who join various services of the Central Government every year.
7th Pay Commission: There is important news for central employees. The central government has made a big change in the dress allowance (clothing allowance, kit maintenance, shoes, gown and other essential items) given under the 7th Pay Commission, which will be implemented from July 2025. This change has been notified through an office memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
According to the order, new central employees who will join government jobs after July 2025 will not get the full dress allowance every year. Rather, only a part of it will be given according to the date of joining the service. How much amount they will get as dress allowance will be decided on the basis of the joining date of the employee.
This is the new formula
(Annual dress allowance ÷ 12) × Months remaining after joining the job till next June. If an employee starts the job in September, he will get allowance for a total of 10 months from September to June. If an employee joins in October 2025, he will get allowance for November–June i.e. 9 months. If the annual allowance is Rs 10,000, then (10,000÷12)×9 = ₹7,500 will be given.
To whom will the rule apply?
For the employees who will retire after July 2025, the old rules will remain applicable for now> According to the current system, if an employee retires after December, he will be given full dress allowance. Whereas those who retire by December get half the allowance. Current employees included before 1 July 2025 will get the allowance of the full amount as before. There has been no change in the amount of allowance. Rs 5,000 is fixed for general employees, Rs 10,000 – for employees wearing uniform and Rs 20,000 – for special services like armed forces.
5 major changes also made in CGHS
Recently, the Central Government has also made changes in the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The Ministry of Health has launched a new HMIS portal and mobile app through which beneficiaries can now book appointments, download e-cards and avail medical services from the comfort of their homes. Employees and pensioners will now get all the information on the new integrated CGHS digital platform at www.cghs.mohfw.gov.in.
They can avail all online services including registration, application, grievance redressal and information only through this new portal. Departments will be onboarded on the new CGHS platform for paperless approval process. Meanwhile, departments can continue to submit applications physically in the respective CGHS card sections. All beneficiaries above 18 years of age are advised to link their PAN card with CGHS beneficiary ID and apply for correction through beneficiary login on the website in case of any error.
Major Improvements/Technological Advancements in New CGHS HMIS
PAN-based Unique Identification: Now each beneficiary will be linked to a unique PAN-based identifier. This will eliminate duplication of documents and help simplify the verification process for eligibility.
Integrated Digital Verification and Contribution Tracking: Contribution payments will now be auto-verified through direct integration with Bharat Kosh (Line of Business Application Integration). There will be no manual selection of options, entering of details on Bharat Kosh portal thereby eliminating errors and refund related issues.
Pre-Payment Checking of Applications: The new system enables checking and approval of card applications before the payment stage. This ensures that applicants are guided about eligibility and contribution amount before making payment.
Online Card Modification Services: Services like card transfer, change in dependent status and category change (providing service to pensioner, etc.) can now be initiated and completed completely online.
Real-time application tracking and alerts: The system will issue SMS and email alerts at each stage of application processing. This increases transparency and reduces personal follow-up.
Mandatory Password Reset and Secure Access: All existing users will be asked to reset their password on first login. This is being implemented as a measure to safeguard against cyber threats as per security advisory by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
DDO/PAO-based Department Identification: Department identity will be verified using Pay & Accounts Office (PAO) and Drawing & Disbursing Officer (DDO) codes as indicated in employee pay slips. This ensures backend mapping of sponsoring officers.
Mobile Application Relaunch (Android & iOS): The official CGHS mobile apps have been redeveloped and now provide an improved experience to beneficiaries.
Access to digital CGHS card, real-time status tracking, e-referral and appointment scheduling (where applicable) Integrated connectivity with Helpdesk and A.D. Offices
