Festive cheer: Central government employees to get bonus equivalent to 30 days' salary ahead of Diwali

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Just before the festivals of Dussehra and Diwali, the central government has given great news to millions of its employees. The Finance Ministry has announced a non-productivity linked bonus (ad-hoc bonus) for central government employees for the financial year 2024-25. Under this decision, all eligible employees will receive a bonus equivalent to 30 days' salary. The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has issued an official order in this regard.

Which employees will get the benefit?

According to the order, this bonus will be available to all Group C employees of the Central Government and all Group B non-gazetted employees who are not covered under any other productivity-linked bonus scheme. In addition, this bonus will also be given to eligible personnel of the Central Paramilitary Forces and Armed Forces, as well as employees of Union Territories that follow the Central Government's pay pattern. However, there are certain eligibility conditions for this bonus, under which the benefit will be available only to those employees who were in service as of March 31, 2025, and who have provided at least six months of continuous service during the year 2024-25. Employees who have not served for the entire year will be provided this bonus on a pro-rata basis, proportionate to their months of service.

How will the bonus be calculated?

The maximum monthly salary ceiling for calculating the ad-hoc bonus is set at ₹7,000. The bonus amount will be calculated based on the employee's average salary or ₹7,000, whichever is less.

For example: If an employee's monthly salary is Rs 7,000, his 30 days bonus will be approximately Rs 6,908.

Formula: To calculate the one-day bonus, divide the average salary for the year by 30.4 (the average number of days in a month). Then, multiply this amount by 30.

Arrangements for casual labourers also

The order also addresses casual laborers. Casual laborers who have worked a set number of working days over the past three years will receive a fixed bonus of ₹1,184. This announcement is expected to provide significant financial relief to millions of central government employees and their families during the festive season.