Railways / Diwali Gift: Railway Employees to Get 78-Day Productivity Bonus

New Delhi, Oct 14: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the payment of a 78-day Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) to eligible non-gazetted railway employees for the financial year 2025-26, recognising their contribution to the strong operational performance of Indian Railways.

Briefing the media, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said: “This is a Diwali gift for all the hardworking railway staff who toil day and night; while the rest of us celebrate festivals, they are out in the field on the tracks, amidst the public, or in workshops working tirelessly. This bonus is for all those railway employees.”

The decision will benefit around 11.40 lakh railway employees and entail an expenditure of approximately Rs 2,009.61 crore. The bonus is traditionally paid ahead of the Durga Puja and Dussehra festive season and serves as an incentive for railway staff across various departments.

According to the government, the maximum amount payable per eligible employee will be Rs 17,951, equivalent to 78 days' wages. The beneficiaries include Track Maintainers, Loco Pilots, Train Managers (Guards), Station Masters, Supervisors, Technicians, Technician Helpers, Pointsmen, Ministerial Staff and other Group 'C' employees.

The Cabinet noted that Indian Railways registered a strong performance during 2025-26. The national transporter achieved a record freight loading of 1,670 million tonnes while carrying nearly 7.41 billion passengers during the year.
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Officials said the PLB rewards employees for their role in maintaining efficient railway operations and improving service delivery across the network. The payment is also expected to provide a boost to employee morale and enhance productivity within the organisation.

The annual bonus has been a longstanding feature of the railway system and is viewed as a recognition of the contribution made by frontline and operational staff who ensure the smooth functioning of one of the world's largest rail networks.

The approval comes ahead of the festive season and is likely to bring relief and cheer to lakhs of railway employees and their families across the country.