3 days ago
Central Employees Seek Threefold Dussehra Bonus Ceiling Increase
Central government employees want the rule for calculating their festival bonus changed.
They are asking for the maximum wage used in the calculation to rise from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 per month.
This could increase bonus payments for eligible employees.
The request was made before Dussehra, when bonus orders are usually issued.
The employees’ council says the central minimum wage is now ₹21,000.
A Labour Ministry notification says calculations use ₹7,000 or the central minimum wage, whichever is higher.
The notification is described as applying from November 21, 2025.
Officials previously said that changing the ceiling would require a formal legal revision.
The government’s final decision on the request is not stated.
The JCM National Council Staff Side requested raising the bonus ceiling from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 per month.
The request was submitted ahead of expected Dussehra orders on Productivity Linked, Non-PLB and Ad-hoc Bonuses.
At a May 11, 2026 meeting, the Official Side said the cap required formal revision under the Code on Wages, 2019.
A Labour Ministry notification dated August 25, 2026 says bonuses are calculated on ₹7,000 or the central minimum wage, whichever is higher.
JCM Secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra argued that the ₹21,000 central minimum wage should result in a bonus ceiling of at least ₹21,000.
- Who
- The National Council Staff Side of the Joint Consultative Machinery, represented by Secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra, made the request.
- What
- It requested increasing the bonus payable ceiling for central government employees from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 per month.
- Where
- The request was made in a representation to the Cabinet Secretary.
- When
- The request came ahead of Dussehra; related developments cited include May 11, 2026, and an August 25, 2026 notification.
- Why
- The council says the central government’s minimum wage is ₹21,000 and the bonus ceiling should reflect that amount.
Employees’ council
Existing statutory framework
Bonus ceiling
Employees’ council
The JCM Staff Side wants the ceiling raised from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000, matching the cited central minimum wage.
Existing statutory framework
The existing calculation framework uses ₹7,000 or the central minimum wage fixed by the government, whichever is higher, under the cited notification.
Legal process
Employees’ council
The council is seeking an immediate revision before Dussehra bonus orders are issued.
Existing statutory framework
At the May 2026 JCM meeting, the Official Side said changing the payment cap required a formal revision under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Key facts
- Current bonus ceiling
- ₹7,000 per month
- Requested ceiling
- ₹21,000 per month
- Relevant employee body
- National Council Staff Side of the Joint Consultative Machinery
- Notification date
- August 25, 2026
- Retrospective date
- November 21, 2025
- Cited minimum wage
- ₹21,000 per month
- Bonus types mentioned
- Productivity Linked Bonus, Non-PLB and Ad-hoc Bonus
Quotes
National Council (Staff Side)
Employee representatives in the Joint Consultative Machinery for central government employees
“At present the Minimum Wage announced by the Central Government is Rs.21,000/-”
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Sources
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