The Department of Posts has approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 60 days’ emoluments for eligible postal employees for the year 2025-26. The approval also covers ex-gratia bonus payments for regularly engaged Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) and ad-hoc bonuses for eligible full-time casual labourers and temporary-status casual labourers.
According to the Department of Posts’ order dated October 16, the bonus will be calculated using prescribed formulas and eligibility conditions. The order is numbered PP-26/1/2020-PAP.
Eligibility
The official order identifies the following categories for bonus payments:
Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), Group C employees and non-gazetted Group B employees.
Regularly engaged Gramin Dak Sevaks, who are eligible for an ex-gratia bonus.
Eligible full-time casual labourers and temporary-status casual labourers, who may receive an ad-hoc bonus.
The payment is subject to the conditions specified for each category in the Department of Posts’ order.
How much bonus will postal employees receive?
For eligible regular departmental employees, the bonus equals 60 days’ emoluments. The calculation is subject to a monthly emoluments ceiling of ₹7,000.
The Department of Posts has prescribed the following formula:
Bonus = (Average monthly emoluments × 60) ÷ 30.4
Average monthly emoluments are calculated using the salary drawn during the accounting year, April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, subject to the prescribed ceiling and applicable adjustments.
The emoluments considered for regular employees include basic pay in the pay matrix, dearness allowance, SB allowance, deputation duty allowance and training allowance for faculty members in training institutes.
The actual bonus may vary depending on the employee’s eligible emoluments and service-related conditions.
India Post bonus for Gramin Dak Sevaks
Regularly engaged Gramin Dak Sevaks are also covered under the order through an ex-gratia bonus payment.
For GDS employees who remained on duty throughout the accounting year, the calculation is based on their Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) and corresponding dearness allowance drawn between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
The monthly amount considered for the calculation is capped at ₹7,000 where the combined TRCA and dearness allowance exceeds that limit.
The formula prescribed for the calculation is:
Bonus = (Average monthly TRCA × 60) ÷ 30.4
GDS employees who served for only part of the accounting year because of a fresh appointment, being put off duty or leaving service may receive a proportionate bonus, subject to the conditions in the order.
What about casual labourers?
The order also provides for an ad hoc bonus for eligible full-time casual labourers, including those with temporary status.
To qualify under the specified provision, workers must have completed at least 240 days of eight-hour work per day in a year for three consecutive years or more, as of March 31, 2026. For offices observing a five-day working week, the prescribed requirement is 206 days in each year for three years or more.
The bonus is calculated using notional monthly wages of ₹1,200, subject to the conditions specified in the order. Where actual monthly wages are below ₹1,200, the actual wages drawn must be considered for the relevant calculation.
How will the bonus be calculated?
The order specifies different calculation methods for regular employees, GDS employees and eligible casual labourers. The payable amount will be rounded to the nearest rupee.
The Department of Posts has stated that it will meet the expenditure from the sanctioned grant for 2026-27.
Employees should refer to the official order and their respective administrative offices for eligibility conditions and the calculation of their individual bonus amounts.