Cabinet approves 78-day Productivity Linked Bonus worth ₹2,009.61 crore for 11.40 lakh railway employees
On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a Productivity Linked Bonus of 78 days' wages (₹2,009.61 crore) for 11,40,770 railway employees, with a maximum of ₹17,951 per employee.
Summary
The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi on 14 October 2026 approved payment of a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equal to 78 days' wages to 11,40,770 railway employees at a cost of ₹2,009.61 crore. The maximum amount per eligible employee is ₹17,951, for staff such as track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers (guards), station masters, technicians, pointsmen and other Group 'C' staff. PLB is paid every year before the Durga Puja/Dussehra holidays; the Railways loaded a record 1,670 million tonnes of cargo and carried nearly 7.41 billion passengers in 2025-26.
Key facts
- Decision
- Union Cabinet, 14 October 2026
- Bonus
- 78 days' wages
- Cost
- ₹2,009.61 crore
- Employees
- 11,40,770 (about 11.40 lakh non-gazetted)
- Maximum per employee
- ₹17,951
- Railway performance 2025-26
- Record 1,670 million tonnes cargo; ~7.41 billion passengers
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Productivity Linked Bonus equal to how many days' wages was approved for railway employees in October 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 78 days
What is the maximum Productivity Linked Bonus payable per eligible railway employee under the October 2026 approval?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹17,951