The Department of Posts has approved a 60-day Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for eligible employees for the accounting year 2025-26. This bonus aims to reward employees based on their productivity and service during the year. Eligible employees include Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), Group C, non-gazetted Group B employees, Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), and certain casual labourers.
- The bonus equals 60 days’ emoluments for eligible regular employees.
- Maximum monthly emoluments considered is ₹7,000 for regular employees.
- Maximum calculated bonus amount is approximately ₹13,816.
- GDS employees receive ex-gratia bonus based on Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) and Dearness Allowance.
- Full-time and temporary casual labourers may receive ad-hoc bonus if they meet work duration criteria.
Who is eligible for the 60-day Productivity Linked Bonus?
The bonus applies to regular departmental employees such as Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), Group C, and non-gazetted Group B employees. It also covers regularly engaged Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) and eligible full-time and temporary-status casual labourers. Employees who resigned, retired, left service, or went on deputation during the year may also qualify under certain conditions.
How is the bonus calculated for regular employees?
The bonus calculation uses the formula: Bonus = Average emoluments × Number of bonus days ÷ 30.4. The average emoluments are based on salary drawn from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, with a monthly ceiling of ₹7,000. Emoluments include basic pay, Dearness Allowance, S.B. Allowance, Deputation Allowance, and Training Allowance where applicable.
For employees at the ₹7,000 ceiling, the 60-day bonus amounts to approximately ₹13,816, rounded to the nearest rupee.
What are the bonus rules for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS)?
GDS employees who served throughout the year receive an ex-gratia bonus based on their average monthly Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) plus Dearness Allowance, subject to the ₹7,000 ceiling. Those who served part of the year due to appointment, leave, or termination may receive a proportionate bonus. TRCA drawn by substitute GDS workers is excluded from bonus calculations.
How is the ad-hoc bonus for casual labourers determined?
Eligible full-time and temporary-status casual labourers who worked at least eight hours a day for 240 days annually (or 206 days for five-day workweeks) over three consecutive years qualify for an ad-hoc bonus. The calculation uses a notional monthly wage of ₹1,200 or actual wages if lower, multiplied by the applicable number of bonus days.
Is this bonus related to other government bonuses?
No, the Postal Department’s 60-day Productivity Linked Bonus is separate from other bonuses such as the non-productivity-linked ad-hoc bonus for central government employees and the Productivity Linked Bonus for railway employees. Each scheme has distinct eligibility, calculation methods, and coverage.
When will the bonus be paid?
The Department of Posts has not specified a payment date. Employees should await further announcements from the Department or their postal circles regarding disbursement schedules.
This bonus expenditure will be covered by the sanctioned grant for the financial year 2026-27, as stated in the official order dated October 16, 2026 (reference PP-26/1/2020-PAP).
