Railway Bonus 2026: The Central Government has approved giving 78 days Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) to about 11.40 lakh eligible Railway employees before Diwali. According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, approximately Rs 2,009 crore will be spent on this decision. Apart from this, in the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was also decided to change the rules related to disability pension and to continue the National Social Assistance Program for the next five years.
- 78 days bonus to railway employees
Due to the decision of the Central Government, about 11.40 lakh eligible railway employees will get financial benefits before the festival. The government has approved 78 days of productivity linked bonus for employees. A total expenditure of Rs 2,009 crore is estimated on this item.
The maximum limit of monthly salary for calculating bonus has been fixed at Rs 7,000. On this basis, the bonus for 78 days is calculated to be around Rs 17,951. However, the actual payment may vary as per the eligibility of the employee and applicable rules.
The calculation of bonus is as follows-
₹7,000 × 12 × 78 ÷ 365 = approximately ₹17,951
Ashwini Vaishnav said that railway employees perform their responsibilities throughout the year. Even during festivals they work on railway tracks, engines and workshops. Keeping this contribution of the employees in mind, it has been decided to give bonus.
- Change in disabled pension rules
The Cabinet has also approved changes in the provisions related to providing financial assistance to the disabled. According to the information given, now disabled people will be eligible for pension benefits since birth. Earlier the conditions related to minimum age were applicable.
Under the new system, there is a provision of providing assistance of Rs 375 every month to eligible disabled people aged between 0 to 79 years and Rs 625 to people aged 80 years and above. The government will release detailed information related to the new rules and eligibility within three months.
The provisions related to Disability Pension are also important in the context of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Under this law, 40 percent or more disability has been categorized as benchmark disability. The law also includes special provisions related to assistance amount for persons with disabilities.
- National Social Assistance Program will continue for the next five years
The Cabinet has decided to continue the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) for the next five years. The objective of this scheme is to provide assistance under social security to economically weak and needy families.
This program was started on 15 August 1995. It was launched in line with the Directive Principles of State Policy mentioned in Article 41 of the Constitution. According to the information given, the expenses of this program are borne by the Central Government, so that assistance can be provided to the eligible beneficiaries.
- Proposal to change the names of social assistance scheme and pension schemes
According to the information presented, the name of the National Social Assistance Program will be changed to Pradhan Mantri Social Assistance Scheme. It has also been said that the names of the schemes under this will be kept in a new form.
The proposed names are as follows:
- Prime Minister Social Assistance Scheme
- Prime Minister Old Age Pension Scheme
- Prime Minister Widow Pension Scheme
- Prime Minister Disabled Pension Scheme
- Prime Minister Family Benefit Scheme
The purpose of these changes is to present the schemes under the social assistance program with a new name and identity. However, the final provisions regarding name change and pension eligibility should be confirmed from the official notification.
Who will benefit from cabinet decisions?
These Cabinet decisions mainly relate to railway employees, eligible disabled persons and beneficiaries of social assistance schemes. Railway employees will get additional financial assistance through bonus, while changes in the rules of disability pension may change the scope of eligibility. The continuation of the National Social Assistance Program will continue to provide social security to needy beneficiaries.