Ad-hoc Bonus 2026: WB Government Announces Bonus for Employees, Check Eligibility and Amount

Ad-hoc Bonus 2026: The Government of West Bengal has officially released the notification for the grant of Ad-hoc bonus to State Government employees for the accounting year 2025-2026. According to Memorandum No. 811-F(P2) issued on February 27, 2026, by the Finance (Audit) Department, the state has revised the bonus amount and eligibility criteria to ensure financial support for the workforce ahead of the festive season.

Bonus Amount and Eligibility Ceiling

The state government has fixed the Ad-hoc bonus amount at Rs. 7,400/- per head for the year 2025-2026. Employees whose revised monthly emoluments did not exceed Rs. 46,000/- as of March 31, 2026, are entitled to this benefit. This upper ceiling remains constant for employees under ROPA 2019, ROPA 2009, or those working on a fixed consolidated contract basis.

Key Terms and Eligibility Conditions

To qualify for this bonus, the following conditions must be met by the employees:

• Minimum Service: Employees must have completed at least six months of continuous service during the 2025-2026 financial year.
• Special Clause: If an employee’s salary crossed the Rs. 46,000/- limit due to promotions, increments, or DA enhancement but remained below the threshold for at least six months, they are still eligible for the full Rs. 7,400/- bonus.
• Emoluments Definition: Under ROPA 2019, ‘Revised Emoluments’ include Basic Pay in the Pay Matrix + Dearness Allowance + NPA. It strictly excludes HRA, Medical, and other compensatory allowances.

Disbursement Schedule for 2026

The government has established a clear timeline to ensure disbursement before major festivals:

• Muslim Employees: The bonus must be disbursed before the Eid-Ul-Fitr 2026 festival.
• Other Employees: Disbursement is scheduled between September 28, 2026, and October 1, 2026, preceding the Durga Puja festival.

Calculation for Casual Workers and Pro-rata Basis

Casual workers who have completed a minimum of 120 days of work in the financial year are eligible for a bonus. For employees with 6 to 12 months of service, the pro-rata formula is:
(Monthly Emoluments as on March 31, 2026 / 12) x Total months of service = Bonus Amount (Max Rs. 7,400/-).

Extended Benefits for Statutory and Local Bodies

The Governor has directed that these benefits will also extend to employees of Statutory Bodies, Local Bodies, Panchayats, and State-aided Non-Government Educational Institutions. Respective departments will issue separate orders based on this Finance Department memorandum, ensuring parity across different sectors of the state administration.

This decision is expected to bring financial relief to over 6 lakh employees across West Bengal, ensuring a joyful festive season for all families associated with the state government.