National Desk: The festive season has officially begun across the country, and the Central Government has gifted its employees a double Diwali bonanza. According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Finance, Group ‘C’ and non-gazetted Group ‘B’ central government employees will receive a non-productivity linked (ad-hoc) bonus equivalent to 30 days’ salary. The maximum payable amount under this scheme will be ₹6,908, which will be directly credited to employees’ bank accounts.
In addition, the government has announced a 3% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA), effective from July 1, 2025, further adding to the festive cheer.
How Will the Bonus Be Calculated?
For the purpose of calculating the ad-hoc bonus, a maximum monthly salary of ₹7,000 (including basic pay and DA) will be considered.
Example:
If an employee’s monthly pay is ₹7,000, they will receive a bonus of approximately ₹6,908 (equivalent to 30 days’ salary).
This bonus will apply not only to employees of central ministries but also to eligible personnel of CRPF, BSF, and Union Territories.
Who Will Be Eligible for This Bonus?
Over 15 lakh central government employees are expected to benefit from this festive gift, provided they meet the following conditions:
- Continuous Service: Must have worked for at least six months during FY 2024–25.
- Active Status: Must be in service as of March 31, 2025 (employees who retired or resigned after six months of service are also eligible).
- Attendance Requirement: Must not have taken more than 10 days of unauthorized leave in the year.
‘Super Bonus’ for Railway Employees!
Railway employees have received even bigger news! The Union Cabinet has approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) of 78 days for 11.72 lakh railway employees. The maximum amount payable under this will be ₹17,951 per employee.
Last year, railway staff received a 76-day PLB — meaning they’re getting two extra days of bonus this time.
Double Delight: Bonus + DA Hike
Along with the Diwali bonus, the 3% DA hike will increase employees’ monthly salaries by ₹2,000–₹3,000 on average.
This “double festive boost” is expected to brighten Diwali celebrations across thousands of households, giving government employees more financial comfort for festive shopping and family celebrations.
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