The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days’ wages for approximately 11.41 lakh eligible non-gazetted railway employees, involving a total financial outlay of ₹2,009.61 crore.
The bonus recognises the contribution of railway employees to the national transporter’s operational performance during 2025-26, when Indian Railways recorded freight loading of 1,670 million tonnes and carried nearly 7.41 billion passengers.
Maximum Bonus of ₹17,951 Per Employee
The maximum amount payable to each eligible railway employee is ₹17,951, equivalent to 78 days’ wages. The annual bonus is traditionally disbursed ahead of the Durga Puja and Dussehra festive season.
The scheme covers various categories of non-gazetted railway personnel, including track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers (guards), station masters, supervisors, technicians, technician helpers, pointsmen, ministerial staff and other Group C employees.
Bonus Linked to Railway Performance
The government has said that the Productivity Linked Bonus serves as an incentive for railway employees to improve operational efficiency and contribute to the performance of the organisation.
The record freight loading of 1,670 million tonnes and passenger traffic of nearly 7.41 billion in 2025-26 underline the scale of operations handled by Indian Railways and the contribution of its workforce.
The approved payout of ₹2,009.61 crore will benefit approximately 11.41 lakh railway employees, providing financial support to eligible staff ahead of the festive season.
