Railway PLB: Cabinet clears 78-day bonus for 11.4 lakh employees
Why in the news
On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equal to 78 days’ wages for eligible railway employees. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision.
Key facts
- Duration: 78 days’ wages.
- Total cost: ₹2,009.61 crore.
- Beneficiaries: 11,40,770 eligible non-gazetted railway employees (about 11.4 lakh).
- Maximum payout: ₹17,951 per eligible employee.
- Timing: the PLB is paid every year ahead of Durga Puja and Dussehra.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bonus days | 78 |
| Amount | ₹2,009.61 crore |
| Employees | 11,40,770 |
| Maximum per employee | ₹17,951 |
About the railway PLB
The bonus rewards railway staff for their role in the performance of Indian Railways and aims to encourage efficiency. It covers non-gazetted Group C staff such as track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers, station masters, supervisors, technicians, pointsmen and ministerial staff.
Exam angle
- Remember the numbers: 78 days, ₹2,009.61 crore, 11,40,770 employees, ₹17,951 ceiling.
- The bonus is productivity linked, not an ad hoc payment.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefed the media after the Cabinet meeting.