Cabinet Approves 78 Days PLB: ₹1,865.68 Crore Bonus for 10.91 Lakh Railway Employees

Posted On: 24 September 2025, 3:10 PM · PIB Delhi

In a major boost to railway employee morale ahead of the festive season, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days for railway staff. This decision will benefit 10,91,146 railway employees with a total outlay of ₹1,865.68 crore.

Key Highlights

Beneficiary Coverage

  • Total Employees: 10,91,146 non-gazetted railway staff
  • Total Amount: ₹1,865.68 crore
  • Bonus Period: 78 days equivalent wages
  • Maximum Individual Amount: ₹17,951 per eligible employee

Eligible Categories

The PLB will be paid to various categories of railway personnel including:

  • Track maintainers
  • Loco Pilots
  • Train Managers (Guards)
  • Station Masters
  • Supervisors
  • Technicians and Technician Helpers
  • Pointsmen
  • Ministerial Staff
  • Other Group 'C' staff

Festive Timing and Recognition

Pre-Festival Payment

Following the established tradition, the PLB payment will be made before the Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays, providing railway employees with additional financial support during the festive season.

Performance Recognition

The decision recognizes the excellent performance delivered by railway staff throughout the year, serving as both recognition of past achievements and motivation for continued excellence.

Outstanding Railway Performance 2024-25

The PLB approval is based on the remarkable performance indicators achieved by Indian Railways:

Cargo Operations

  • Record Freight Loading: 1,614.90 Million Tonnes
  • Demonstrating significant contribution to the national logistics backbone

Passenger Services

  • Passenger Traffic: Nearly 7.3 billion passengers carried
  • Reflecting the massive scale and efficiency of railway passenger operations

Strategic Impact and Benefits

Employee Motivation

  • Acts as a direct performance incentive for railway workforce
  • Encourages continuous improvement in service delivery
  • Strengthens employer-employee relationship in the public sector

Economic Stimulus

  • ₹1,865.68 crore injection into the economy through employee spending
  • Particular boost to local economies during the festive season
  • Enhanced purchasing power for over 10 lakh families

Implementation and Next Steps

Payment Timeline

  • Approval granted on September 24, 2025
  • Payment to be completed before Durga Puja/Dussehra festivities
  • Direct benefit transfer to employee accounts

Eligibility Verification

  • Non-gazetted employees across all railway zones
  • Performance-based qualification criteria applied
  • Systematic distribution through established channels

Conclusion

The Cabinet's approval of 78 days PLB for railway employees represents a significant recognition of their exceptional performance in 2024-25. With record freight loading and massive passenger traffic achievements, the railway workforce has demonstrated exemplary service to the nation.

This ₹1,865.68 crore investment in human capital not only rewards past performance but also sets the stage for continued excellence in railway operations. The timing before major festivals adds to the gesture's impact, providing railway families with enhanced financial support during celebration season.

Comments