The Centre has approved a non-productivity-linked (ad-hoc) bonus equivalent to 30 days’ emoluments for eligible Central Government employees for the accounting year 2025-26, according to an office memorandum issued by the Department of Expenditure on October 15.
The bonus will be available to employees in Group C and non-gazetted Group B who are not covered under any productivity-linked bonus scheme.
Eligible personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces and Armed Forces will also receive the benefit.
The orders extend to employees of Union Territory administrations that follow the Central Government’s pay structure and are not covered by another bonus or ex-gratia scheme.
How much bonus will employees receive?
The calculation ceiling for the bonus has been fixed at monthly emoluments of ₹7,000. Where an employee’s average monthly emoluments exceed this ceiling, the bonus will be calculated using ₹7,000 as the base.
Based on the prescribed formula, the bonus for 30 days works out to approximately ₹6,908, assuming the employee’s average monthly emoluments are at least ₹7,000.
The actual amount may be lower if the employee’s average monthly emoluments are below the ceiling or if the employee qualifies for the bonus for only part of the year.
What are the eligibility conditions?
Employees must have been in service on March 31, 2026, and completed at least six months of continuous service during 2025-26 to qualify. Those who worked for between six months and a full year will receive the bonus on a pro-rata basis, with the eligible service period calculated in months.
The memorandum also specifies separate eligibility conditions for casual labourers. Those working in offices following a six-day week must have completed at least 240 days of work in each of the preceding three years. For offices following a five-day week, the requirement is 206 days in each of those years.
How is the bonus calculated?
The Department of Expenditure has prescribed the following formula:
Bonus = Average monthly emoluments, subject to the applicable ceiling × 30 ÷ 30.4
For an employee whose average monthly emoluments are ₹7,000 or more, the calculation would be:
₹7,000 × 30 ÷ 30.4 = ₹6,907.89, rounded to ₹6,908.
Employees who have completed fewer than 12 months of eligible service will receive a proportionate amount, subject to the applicable rules.
The expenditure will be met from the sanctioned budget provisions of the respective ministries and departments for the financial year 2026-27.