Updated 7 Nov 2026. Source: Department of Expenditure O.M. F.No.7/24/2007/E-III(A) dated 15.10.2026 (official PDF).
Quick answer
The Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (ad-hoc bonus) for 2025-26 is 30 days’ emoluments, with a calculation ceiling of Rs 7,000 a month. The maximum is Rs 6,908.
Who gets it
- All Group C and all non-gazetted Group B central employees not covered by any Productivity Linked Bonus scheme.
- Eligible employees of Central Armed Police Forces and Armed Forces.
- Union Territory administrations that follow the central pattern and have no other bonus or ex-gratia scheme.
Conditions
- You must have been in service on 31.3.2026 and completed at least 6 months of continuous service in 2025-26.
- Service of 6 to 12 months gets a pro-rata bonus, counted in whole months (rounded to the nearest month).
- Bonus is worked out on average emoluments or the Rs 7,000 ceiling, whichever is lower.
- Retirees: as a special case, employees who superannuated, retired on medical invalidation or died before 31.3.2026, after at least 6 months’ regular service in 2025-26, get the bonus pro rata (nearest number of months) (Annexure, point 1(b)).
- Ad-hoc temporary staff are eligible if there is no break in service (Annexure, point 1(a)).
- Suspension: subsistence allowance does not count as emoluments; the period counts only if you are reinstated with emoluments for it (Annexure, point 1(h)).
How it is calculated
Bonus = average monthly emoluments (capped at Rs 7,000) / 30.4 x days of bonus (30). Ceiling example from the order: 7,000 x 30 / 30.4 = Rs 6,907.89, rounded to Rs 6,908 (DoE OM dated 15.10.2026, para 2(ii)). All payments are rounded to the nearest rupee.
Casual labour
Casual labour are eligible if they worked at least 240 days a year for 3 years or more in offices with a 6-day week (206 days a year in 5-day-week offices). The bonus is Rs 1,200 x 30 / 30.4 = Rs 1,184.21, rounded to Rs 1,184. If actual monthly emoluments are below Rs 1,200, it is calculated on actual emoluments.
Quick examples
| Average monthly emoluments | Bonus (30 days) |
|---|---|
| Rs 7,000 or more | Rs 6,908 |
| Rs 5,000 | Rs 4,934 (5,000 x 30 / 30.4 = 4,934.21) |
| 8 months, ceiling | Rs 4,605 (6,907.89 x 8/12, our estimate; check office practice) |
FAQ
Is the Diwali bonus for pensioners?
The order covers serving employees and does not mention pensioners. But employees who retired on superannuation or medical invalidation, or died, before 31.3.2026 after at least 6 months’ regular service in 2025-26 get it pro rata (Annexure, point 1(b)).
Does it depend on the 8th Pay Commission?
No. It is a separate annual order of the Department of Expenditure.
Which year does it cover?
Accounting year 2025-26; it is paid from 2026-27 budget provisions.
Related
- DA 63% update and the 8th Pay calculator.
Railways PLB and Posts/GDS bonus figures are left out until their own orders are linked.
