Diwali Bonus: Government employees are in for a treat this Diwali! Find out how much bonus they receive...

Diwali Bonus: With the onset of the festive season, smiles have returned to the faces of government employees across the country. As always, just before Diwali, the central government has announced an increase in bonuses and dearness allowance (DA). This means that this year, along with home decorations, shopping lists are also set to be longer. This government decision has brightened Diwali for millions of families. This raises the question of how much bonus the government will give to whom on Diwali, and who will benefit the most this time.

Double Good News for Government Employees Before Diwali
This year, the government has given two good news to central employees simultaneously: the announcement of a bonus and a 3% increase in dearness allowance (DA). DA has now increased from 55% to 58%. This increase will be effective from July 1, 2025, meaning that the arrears for July, August, and September will also be added to the October salary. Previously, there was a 2% increase in March 2025, so overall, we have received a 5% benefit in a year.

What is DA, and why does it increase?
When prices rise, it increases the burden on our pockets. The government understands this. That's why it provides dearness allowance (DA) to its employees. This is a fixed portion of the basic salary, which is added to provide relief to employees and pensioners from rising prices. Simply put, when the market is expensive, the government adds a little extra to your salary to ensure a stress-free life, meaning without financial burden.

A big gift before Diwali for railway employees
This Diwali is like a jackpot for railway employees. The central government has approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days' salary for them. This scheme will benefit approximately 1.1 million non-gazetted employees, including frontline staff such as loco pilots, track maintainers, station masters, and guards. Each employee will receive a maximum bonus of ₹17,951. The government announced this on September 29th, and the amount has been credited to employees' accounts before Dussehra. This bonus is being seen as a reward for the Railways' superior performance and consistently profitable operations.

Good news for Group B and C employees, too
In addition to the Railways, Group C and non-gazetted Group B employees of the central government are also receiving a bonus equivalent to 30 days' salary. This bonus will be credited directly to their October salaries, ensuring no disruption in festive expenses. The government states that this step has been taken to appreciate the employees' work and provide them with financial support during the festive season.

How much will the Diwali bonus increase the salary?
If someone's basic salary is ₹18,000, a 3% increase will benefit them by ₹540 per month. Since this increase is effective from July, they will also receive an additional payment of ₹1,620, or three months' arrears, in October. This means that the total bonus amount will be approximately ₹2,160 in the October salary, separate from the bonus.

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