The government brought festive cheer to the country’s defence personnel. The Ministry of Defence, in an order issued this week, said that approval has been given to extend the bonus benefits to Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), Other Ranks (ORs), and Agniveers serving in the Army and equivalent ranks in the Navy and Air Force for the financial year 2024-25.
This order is in line with the Finance Ministry’s order dated September 29, 2025. The bonus has already been paid to these defence personnel ahead of Diwali.
What is the non-productivity-linked bonus (ad-hoc bonus)?
The non-productivity-linked bonus, also called an ad-hoc bonus, is a fixed annual bonus given to certain categories of central government employees, especially those who are not covered under the productivity-linked bonus (PLB) schemes.
While productivity-linked bonuses are tied to measurable performance or output (for example, in factories, railways, or postal services), the non-productivity-linked bonus is given as a goodwill and recognition gesture, not linked to productivity.
In simpler terms, it’s a flat-rate bonus extended by the government to eligible employees to acknowledge their contribution and maintain parity across departments — particularly before festivals like Diwali, when such bonuses have traditionally been announced.
How much bonus has been paid?
According to the Finance Ministry’s order (O.M. No. 7/24/2007/E III(A) dated September 29, 2025), the non-productivity-linked bonus for central government employees for the accounting year 2024-25 is equivalent to 30 days’ emoluments, subject to a ceiling of Rs 7,000 per month.
This means the maximum amount payable under this ad-hoc bonus works out to Rs 6,908 per eligible employee.
The Ministry of Defence’s latest order confirms that the same benefit will be extended to JCOs, ORs, and Agniveers in the three services — subject to the availability of funds in the Defence Services budget for 2025-26.
Who is eligible?
The order specifies that only those who were in service as on March 31, 2025, and have rendered at least six months of continuous service during the year 2024-25 will be eligible to receive the bonus. For those who have worked less than a full year but more than six months, the amount will be paid on a pro-rata basis, depending on their months of service.
A yearly festive gesture
Every year, just ahead of Diwali, the government announces this bonus package for its non-gazetted employees and armed forces personnel — a long-standing practice aimed at boosting morale and bringing festive happiness.
This year’s announcement continues that tradition — ensuring that our soldiers, Agniveers and staff posted across the country, many far from their families, receive a token of appreciation in time for the festival of lights.
The gesture, though modest in amount, carries symbolic significance — reflecting the government’s recognition of the dedication and service of defence personnel who safeguard the nation round the clock.
