Diwali bonanza for railway staff: 78-day bonus cleared for 11.4 lakh employees

The Union Cabinet has approved a Productivity Linked Bonus for railway employees worth Rs 2,009.61 crore. It will benefit approximately 11.41 lakh eligible railway staff members across various categories. The maximum bonus that each eligible employee can receive is Rs 17,951. This annual bonus is provided ahead of the Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays to motivate employees. Railways recorded significant freight loading and passenger numbers during the 2025-26 period.