Railway Employees to Get 78-Day Bonus, Cabinet Approves Payment for Over 11.4 Lakh Staff
The Productivity Linked Bonus will benefit eligible non-gazetted railway employees ahead of the festive season
New Delhi, October 14, 2026: The central government has approved a 78-day Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for more than 11.4 lakh railway employees. The decision was taken at a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision. The bonus will be paid to eligible railway employees and is linked to their contribution and the performance of the Railways.
Over 11.4 Lakh Railway Employees to Benefit
A total of 11,40,770 railway employees will be eligible to benefit from the government’s decision. The bonus will be calculated on the basis of 78 days of wages.
However, the actual amount payable to each employee will depend on the applicable rules and bonus calculation criteria.
The Productivity Linked Bonus is intended to recognise employees’ contribution and encourage improved performance. It is provided annually to eligible non-gazetted railway employees.
How Is the Railway Bonus Calculated?
Under the existing calculation method described in the report, the bonus is based on a wage ceiling of ₹7,000 and 78 days of wages. On this basis, the maximum annual bonus comes to ₹17,951.
The actual amount received by an employee depends on the applicable eligibility conditions and calculation rules.
Railway Employees’ Demand to Increase the Wage Ceiling
The Indian Railways Technical Supervisors Association (IRTSA) had demanded an increase in the wage ceiling used to calculate the bonus.
The association proposed raising the ceiling to ₹18,000 for employees in Level 2 and above and including Dearness Allowance (DA) in the calculation. It also suggested calculating the bonus according to employees’ different pay levels.
The Cabinet’s approval will allow the process of providing the bonus to eligible railway employees to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many railway employees will benefit from the bonus?
A total of 11,40,770 railway employees are expected to benefit from the approved bonus.
2. How many days of wages will the railway bonus cover?
The Productivity Linked Bonus has been approved for 78 days of wages.
3. Who announced the government’s decision?
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision following the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
4. What is the maximum annual bonus under the existing calculation method?
According to the report, the maximum annual bonus is ₹17,951, based on a wage ceiling of ₹7,000 and 78 days of wages.
5. What change did IRTSA demand?
The association proposed increasing the wage ceiling to ₹18,000 for employees in Level 2 and above, including Dearness Allowance in the calculation and considering different pay levels.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
