Key Points
- ₹6,908 ad-hoc bonus equivalent to 30 days’ salary approved for Group C and non-gazetted Group B central government employees for 2024-25
- Official order issued on September 29, 2025, by Finance Ministry’s Department of Expenditure under presidential sanction
- Lakhs of beneficiaries including central government staff, CAPF personnel, Armed Forces, and Union Territory employees
- Six months minimum service required with pro-rata payment for partial year service
- Casual laborers eligible for ₹1,184 bonus after completing specified service duration
- Calculation ceiling fixed at ₹7,000 monthly emoluments for bonus computation
New Delhi: The Union Government has granted presidential sanction for the Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc Bonus) equivalent to 30 days’ emoluments for the accounting year 2024-25. The Finance Ministry’s Department of Expenditure issued the official order on September 29, 2025, bringing significant relief to central government employees during the festive season.
This comprehensive bonus scheme demonstrates the Modi government’s commitment to employee welfare, particularly during the festival period when families have increased financial requirements. The decision directly benefits millions of central government employees and security force personnel across the country.
Comprehensive Coverage Across Government Sectors
The bonus extends to all Central Government employees in Group ‘C’ and all non-gazetted employees in Group ‘B’ who are not covered under any Productivity Linked Bonus scheme. The coverage includes personnel of Central Para-Military Forces, Armed Forces, and employees of Union Territory Administrations following the Central Government pay pattern.
Union Territory employees working on the central government’s salary structure who do not receive any other bonus or ex-gratia payments are also eligible for this benefit. Ad-hoc employees with uninterrupted service records will receive the bonus, ensuring comprehensive coverage across different employment categories.
Detailed Eligibility Criteria and Service Requirements
Only employees who remained in service as of March 31, 2025, and have rendered at least six months of continuous service during 2024-25 will be eligible for payment. Pro-rata payment will be admissible to eligible employees for periods of continuous service ranging from six months to a full year, with the eligibility period calculated in terms of number of months of service rounded to the nearest number of months.
Employees who retired, resigned, or passed away before March 31, 2025, will only be eligible if they completed at least six months of regular service during the qualifying period. For employees working on deputation to other organizations, the bonus will be paid by their current employing organization.
Special Provisions for Casual Laborers
Casual laborers who have worked continuously for 240 days (or 206 days in case of 5-day week offices) for three years or more will also be eligible for the bonus. The bonus amount for casual laborers has been specifically fixed at ₹1,184, recognizing their contribution to government operations.
This provision ensures that even temporary workers who have demonstrated long-term commitment receive recognition during the festive season. The inclusion of casual laborers highlights the government’s inclusive approach to employee welfare across all categories of workers.
Precise Calculation Methodology
The bonus calculation follows a standardized formula with a ceiling of ₹7,000 monthly emoluments. The quantum of Non-PLB (ad-hoc bonus) is calculated based on average emoluments or the calculation ceiling, whichever is lower. To calculate the daily bonus amount, average annual emoluments are divided by 30.4 (the average number of days in a month) and then multiplied by the number of bonus days granted.
Taking the calculation ceiling of ₹7,000 monthly emoluments, the 30-day Non-PLB bonus works out to ₹7,000×30/30.4=₹6,907.89, which is rounded to ₹6,908. This standardized approach ensures fairness and consistency in bonus distribution across all eligible employees.
Administrative Implementation and Budget Allocation
The expenditure for this bonus will be met from within the sanctioned budget of respective Ministries and Departments for the financial year 2025-26. For the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the order has been issued in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, ensuring proper financial oversight.
Employees on deputation, suspension, re-employment, or other special cases will be governed by specific conditions laid down in the attached annexure to the official order. The bonus amount will always be rounded to the nearest rupee for administrative convenience.
This government decision represents a significant financial commitment to employee welfare, reinforcing the administration’s focus on supporting central government staff and their families during the important festival period. The timing of the announcement ahead of major festivals like Diwali adds to the celebratory atmosphere and provides much-needed financial relief to government employees across the nation.
