Department of Posts Announces 60 Days’ Bonus for 2025–26 – Finance Minister Approves PLB for Postal Employees and GDS
Department of Posts Announces 60 Days’ Productivity Linked Bonus for 2025–26 – Finance Minister Approves Payment
New Delhi, October 16, 2026: The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has issued an official order sanctioning 60 days’ Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for the accounting year 2025–26 for eligible postal employees. The order, dated October 16, 2026, confirms the approval of the President of India, following approval by the Union Finance Minister.
Download Department of Posts Announces 60 Days’ Bonus for 2025–26 in PDF
The bonus sanction covers the following categories of employees:
- MTS, Group C and non-gazetted Group B employees of the Department of Posts.
- Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), who will receive an ex-gratia bonus.
- Full-time Casual Labourers, including eligible Temporary Status Casual Labourers, who will receive an ad-hoc bonus.
Bonus Calculation and Ceiling
For regular departmental employees, the bonus will be calculated using the prescribed formula:
Average emoluments × Number of bonus days ÷ 30.4
For the accounting year 2025–26, the calculation will be subject to an emoluments ceiling of ₹7,000 per month. Eligible components include Basic Pay, Dearness Allowance and other specified allowances under the order. The average emoluments will be calculated based on the salary drawn from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Bonus for Gramin Dak Sevaks
Gramin Dak Sevaks will receive an ex-gratia bonus calculated on the basis of their average monthly Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), together with the corresponding Dearness Allowance, subject to the ₹7,000 monthly ceiling.
GDS employees who served for only part of the accounting year due to fresh appointment, being put off duty or leaving service will be eligible for proportionate bonus, subject to the provisions of the order.
Ad-hoc Bonus for Casual Labourers
Eligible full-time Casual Labourers, including Temporary Status Casual Labourers who satisfy the prescribed service conditions, will receive an ad-hoc bonus calculated using notional monthly wages of ₹1,200, subject to the applicable provisions. The amount payable will depend on the number of days their services were utilised during the accounting year.
Bonus for Retired and Resigned Employees
The order also provides for bonus eligibility for certain employees who retired, resigned, left service or proceeded on deputation during the accounting year, subject to the prescribed conditions and calculation rules.
Finance Ministry Approval
The Department of Posts has confirmed that the sanction received approval from the Hon’ble Finance Minister on October 13, 2026, and was issued on October 16, 2026, in consultation with the Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser.
The expenditure will be met from the sanctioned grant for the financial year 2026–27 under the relevant “Rewards” head of account. Postal Circles have been directed to compile the expenditure incurred and the number of employees paid, category-wise, for submission to the Department of Posts.
Conclusion
The sanction of 60 days’ Productivity Linked Bonus for 2025–26 is an important announcement for eligible departmental postal employees and Gramin Dak Sevaks. The order lays down the applicable calculation methods, eligibility conditions and payment procedures for the respective categories.
Official Order: Department of Posts, Order No. PP-26/1/2020-PAP, dated October 16, 2026.
Employees are advised to refer to the official order for detailed eligibility conditions and calculation rules.