By Kavita Mistry 
Bringing festive season relief to thousands of government employees, the central government has approved a non-productivity-linked ad-hoc bonus for the financial year 2024-25. The Ministry of Finance has issued an official memorandum confirming that Group C employees and non-gazetted Group B employees of the central government will receive a bonus equivalent to 30 days’ salary as a goodwill measure.
The announcement is part of the government’s annual tradition of rewarding its workforce during the festive season — typically ahead of Durga Puja and Diwali — and is expected to benefit a large section of central government staff across departments and sectors.
How Much Will Employees Receive?
The Finance Ministry has clarified that the bonus amount has been fixed at ₹6,908 per employee. This calculation is based on a ceiling of ₹7,000 per month for average emoluments.
To explain the computation:
- Bonus = ₹7,000 × 30 / 30.4 = ₹6,907.89
- Rounded off, the final payable bonus is ₹6,908
This bonus applies where the actual average emoluments exceed ₹7,000. In case the salary is below the ceiling, the bonus amount will be calculated accordingly.
Eligibility Criteria for Bonus
To receive this one-time bonus, employees must satisfy specific conditions laid out by the Ministry of Finance. The key eligibility requirements are:
- The employee must be in service as of March 31, 2025.
- They must have worked continuously for at least six months during the financial year 2024-25.
- Those who have served less than 12 months will get the bonus on a pro-rata basis, depending on the number of months worked.
Additionally, the order extends the benefit beyond regular staff to include:
- Personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and armed forces.
- Employees of Union Territory administrations following the central pay structure.
Bonus for Casual Labourers
The government has also made a provision for casual labourers who have provided continuous service for at least 240 days a year (or 206 days in the case of five-day workweeks) for three consecutive years or more. Such workers will receive a bonus of ₹1,184.
Employees on deputation to other organizations will receive the bonus from the organization where they are currently posted.
Economic and Social Impact
The announcement comes as part of the government’s broader effort to boost consumer spending and morale during the festive season. By injecting additional cash into the hands of government workers, the bonus is expected to stimulate demand, particularly in retail, travel, and essential goods sectors.