New Delhi, 14 October (H.S.): The Union Cabinet has approved a productivity-linked bonus equivalent to 78 days’ wages for 1.14 million non-gazetted railway employees, entailing an expenditure of approximately Rs.2,009.61 crore. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw briefed the media on the Cabinet’s decisions. He confirmed that the 78-day bonus had been approved for railway employees, benefiting approximately 11.40 lakh personnel.

“This is a Diwali gift for the hardworking railway employees who work round the clock. While we celebrate festivals, they continue to work day and night in the field, on railway tracks, inside locomotives and in workshops. This bonus, worth approximately Rs.2,009 crore, is a Diwali gift for all these railway employees,” Vaishnaw said.

The minister also highlighted recruitment initiatives undertaken by the Railways since 2014. He said approximately 5.5 lakh people had been recruited into the railway workforce during this period. Recruitment for 1.65 lakh vacant posts has been initiated, with examinations currently under way. In addition, around 37,000 people have recently been provided permanent employment.

“Effectively, nearly half of the Railways’ total workforce of around 12 lakh employees has been recruited during the tenure of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government,” the minister said.

Railway employees are traditionally awarded a productivity-linked bonus around Durga Puja and Dussehra every year. This year, eligible employees will receive a bonus equivalent to 78 days’ wages, with the maximum amount capped at Rs.17,951 per employee.

The bonus will benefit a wide range of railway personnel, including track maintainers, locomotive pilots, train managers (guards), station masters, supervisors, technicians, technician helpers, pointsmen, ministerial staff and other Group C employees.

The Railways recorded an all-time high freight loading of 167 crore tonnes in the 2025–26 financial year. During the same period, approximately 741 crore passenger journeys were undertaken across the railway network.

According to the government, the contribution of railway employees has played a significant role in strengthening operational efficiency and improving the performance of both freight and passenger transportation. The approved bonus is intended to recognise their efforts and acknowledge their contribution to the functioning of the national transport network.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar