The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) of ₹2,009.61 crore for 11,40,770 eligible Indian Railways employees for the financial year 2025–26. The government announced the decision on October 14, 2026. Under this approval, eligible non-gazetted railway employees will receive a bonus equivalent to 78 days’ wages, with a maximum payment of ₹17,951 per employee.
The bonus recognises the contribution of railway employees to the performance of India’s railway network. The government provides this payment every year ahead of the Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays. It also aims to motivate employees and encourage better performance across railway operations.
Several categories of employees are eligible for the bonus. These include track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers, station masters, supervisors, technicians, technician helpers, pointsmen, ministerial staff and other eligible Group C employees. The maximum amount payable to an eligible employee is ₹17,951 for 78 days.
According to the government, Indian Railways recorded strong operational performance during 2025–26. It transported a record 1,670 million tonnes of freight and carried nearly 7.41 billion passengers. These figures highlight the railway network’s major role in passenger transport and the movement of goods across India.
The total bonus allocation stands at ₹2,009.61 crore and covers approximately 11.40 lakh eligible employees. The Cabinet’s approval confirms the bonus decision; employees should refer to official railway communications for payment-related updates.