In a major festive season relief for lakhs of Central Government employees, the Ministry of Finance has approved a Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc Bonus) for the accounting year 2024-25. This one-time payment – equal to 30 days’ salary – is designed to reward eligible staff just ahead of the festive season and will directly benefit millions of workers across India.
What the Announcement Says
The Finance Ministry issued an official memorandum conveying the sanction of the President to grant an Ad-hoc Bonus equivalent to 30 days’ emoluments to all Central Government employees in Group ‘C’ and non-gazetted Group ‘B’ posts who are not covered under any Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) scheme. This bonus has been fixed at ₹6,908 for 2024-25.
This decision follows the government’s tradition of announcing pre-festival bonuses for employees in lower and middle categories, aiming to provide additional financial support for the festive months ahead.
Who Will Benefit from the Bonus
According to the order, the 30-day Non-Productivity Linked Bonus will be applicable to:
- All Central Government employees in Group C posts
- Non-gazetted Group B employees who are not covered by any Productivity Linked Bonus scheme
- Personnel of the armed forces and central paramilitary forces
- Eligible employees of Union Territories (UTs) who draw salaries on the Central Government’s pay structure and do not receive any other bonus or ex-gratia
- Ad-hoc employees provided they have worked continuously without breaks
- Casual labourers who have worked for a minimum number of days over the last three years
For casual labourers, the fixed bonus amount is ₹1,184.
This broad coverage ensures that not just regular staff, but also contractual and casual workers who meet the eligibility conditions benefit from the announcement.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the 2024-25 Ad-hoc Bonus:
- An employee must be in service as of 31 March 2025
- The employee must have worked continuously for at least six months during the year
- Employees who retired, resigned, or passed away before 31 March 2025, but had at least six months’ regular service, are also eligible
- Employees on deputation to other organizations will receive the bonus from the organization where they are currently employed
- The bonus amount will be rounded to the nearest rupee
These conditions ensure that only those who have contributed a substantial part of the year’s service benefit from the scheme.
How the Bonus Will Be Calculated
The Ministry has clarified that the bonus will be calculated on a maximum monthly salary of ₹7,000. Even if an employee’s actual emoluments exceed ₹7,000 per month, the calculation will still be capped at this limit.
The formula for calculation is:
Bonus = (Monthly Salary × 30) ÷ 30.4
Here’s an example based on the maximum limit:
- Monthly salary considered for calculation: ₹7,000
- Bonus for 30 days: (₹7,000 × 30) ÷ 30.4 = ₹6,907.89
- Rounded off: ₹6,908
Employees with lower monthly salaries will get proportionately lower amounts, while those who have not worked the full year will receive the bonus on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of months served.
Special Provisions
- For employees on deputation, the borrowing organization will make the payment.
- The bonus amount will not be treated as part of wages for calculating any future allowances or benefits.
- Casual labourers are eligible if they have put in at least 240 days’ service annually for three consecutive years.
- All calculations will adhere strictly to the maximum monthly salary cap of ₹7,000.
These provisions ensure uniformity in implementation across ministries, departments, and attached offices.
Why This Bonus Matters
This decision comes at a time when employees are preparing for major festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali, and Christmas. The additional amount, though modest, provides a much-needed boost to household finances during the festive period.
It is also seen as a morale-booster for lower-rank employees who form the backbone of government operations – from clerks and assistants to paramilitary jawans and support staff in UTs.
Highlights of the 2024-25 Central Government Bonus
- Bonus amount: Equal to 30 days’ salary (maximum capped at ₹6,908)
- Eligibility date: Employees in service as of 31 March 2025
- Coverage: Group C, non-gazetted Group B employees, armed forces, UT employees, ad-hoc staff, and eligible casual labourers
- Calculation: Based on maximum monthly salary of ₹7,000 using the 30 ÷ 30.4 formula
- Pro-rata: Employees with less than a year’s service receive bonus proportionate to months worked
- Rounding: Amount rounded to the nearest rupee
This structured approach ensures transparent and fair disbursal of the bonus across all eligible categories.
Government’s Festive Gesture
The Modi government’s announcement underscores its commitment to employee welfare, particularly for those in the lower rungs of the hierarchy who are not covered by productivity-linked incentives. With inflation and living costs rising, even a one-time bonus can significantly ease household budgets during festival months.
By including casual and ad-hoc staff, the government has also signalled that its welfare measures extend to temporary workers who often play a crucial role in running government offices and security forces.
Conclusion
The Central Government’s approval of a 30-day Ad-hoc Bonus for 2024-25 is a welcome step for millions of employees ahead of the festive season. With clear eligibility norms, a fixed calculation formula, and inclusion of ad-hoc and casual workers, the decision provides a transparent and inclusive approach to employee welfare.
While the amount may not be very large, its timing and symbolism add to its impact – offering financial support and recognition of service at a time when it matters most. For many families, this bonus will help meet festive expenses, settle debts, or simply bring extra cheer into their celebrations.
