💼 Defence Civilians to Receive Productivity Linked Bonus for 2024–25

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In a welcome development ahead of Diwali, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced the Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for the financial year 2024–25 for eligible civilian employees of the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.

According to three separate letters issued by the MoD on 23rd and 24th October 2025, the President has sanctioned the payment of PLB as follows:

40 days’ wages for eligible civilian employees of the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) and Indian Army.
40 days’ wages for eligible civilian employees of the Indian Air Force.
33 days’ wages for eligible civilian employees of the Indian Navy.

This annual announcement brings festive cheer to thousands of defence civilian staff across the country.

⚙️ Breakdown of the PLB Orders

🪖 Army Ordnance Corps / Indian Army

As per letter F. No. 20(4)/2025-D(JCM) dated 23rd October 2025, all eligible Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) and Group ‘C’ civilian employees under the PLB scheme will receive a bonus equivalent to 40 days’ wages for FY 2024–25.

The calculation ceiling remains ₹7000 per month, meaning the PLB is computed as ₹7000 × 40 ÷ 30.4 = ₹9,210 approximately.
Even casual labourers will receive a bonus calculated at assumed wages of ₹1200 per month.

✈️ Indian Air Force

In a similar order (F. No. 20(3)/2025-D(JCM), dated 23rd October 2025), the MoD has sanctioned a 40-day PLB for eligible civilian employees of the Indian Air Force.

This bonus, too, follows the same ₹7000 ceiling and is based on performance indicators under the PLB scheme first introduced in 1983. The expenditure will be covered under the Defence Service Estimates for FY 2025–26.

⚓ Indian Navy

For the Indian Navy, the MoD issued a separate letter (No. 20(5)/2025-D(JCM)) on 24th October 2025, approving a 33-day PLB for eligible defence civilian employees.

The letter specifically supersedes an earlier one dated 23rd October 2025 and confirms the ₹7000 ceiling for calculation purposes. Thus, the approximate PLB amount would be ₹7000 × 33 ÷ 30.4 = ₹7,598.

💬 Why Is PLB Important for Defence Civilians?

The Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) is a recognition of efficiency, hard work, and contribution by civilian employees towards improving organizational performance within the defence establishment.

Unlike a festival bonus that is paid as a fixed amount, the PLB is directly linked to productivity, encouraging better performance across workshops, ordnance depots, and logistics units supporting India’s Armed Forces.

This annual payment not only boosts morale but also helps government employees financially during the festive season.

🧾 Official Letters (PDF Attachments)

Below are the official Ministry of Defence letters announcing the PLB for the respective services:

📄 Download PLB Letter – Indian Army / AOC (F. No. 20(4)/2025-D(JCM))
📄 Download PLB Letter – Indian Air Force (F. No. 20(3)/2025-D(JCM))
📄 Download PLB Letter – Indian Navy (No. 20(5)/2025-D(JCM))

🧠 Bottom Line

The announcement of the Productivity Linked Bonus for Defence Civilians for FY 2024–25 reaffirms the government’s commitment to acknowledging the contribution of non-uniformed staff who play a vital role in supporting India’s defence preparedness.

While the Army and Air Force civilians will receive 40 days’ wages, their Navy counterparts will get 33 days’ wages, continuing the long-standing pattern of differentiated PLB across services.

It’s a much-deserved recognition for thousands of employees who work diligently behind the scenes to keep India’s defence machinery running smoothly.

Defence Civilians to Get Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for 2024–25: 40 Days for Army & Air Force, 33 Days for Navy