NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet has approved a productivity-linked bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days’ wages for approximately 11.4 lakh railway employees for 2025–26, involving a total payout of Rs 2,009.61 crore. The decision comes ahead of the Deepawali festive season.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, October 14, in recognition of the contributions and performance of railway employees.
Maximum bonus of Rs 17,951 per employee
Eligible non-gazetted railway employees will receive a productivity-linked bonus equivalent to 78 days’ wages, with the maximum payout capped at Rs 17,951 per employee.
The bonus will benefit various categories of railway staff, including track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers (guards), station masters, supervisors, technicians, technician helpers, pointsmen, ministerial staff and other Group C employees.
Bonus ahead of Deepawali and Dussehra
The productivity-linked bonus is disbursed annually ahead of the festive season, including Deepawali, Durga Puja and Dussehra. According to the government, the initiative aims to motivate railway employees and encourage further improvements in the performance of the Railways.
The government noted that the Railways recorded strong operational performance during 2025–26, handling 1,670 million tonnes of cargo and carrying nearly 7.41 billion passengers.
The annual bonus recognises the contribution of railway employees to the organisation’s overall performance and operational achievements, bringing festive cheer to lakhs of railway staff and their families ahead of Deepawali.
