Kerala announces Rs 4,500 Onam bonus, allowances for govt employees
The Kerala government has approved a bonus of up to Rs 4,500 and graded festival allowances for employees and pensioners. The order sets eligibility rules and starts disbursal from August 17.
The Kerala government has sanctioned a bonus of up to Rs 4,500 and a special festival allowance for state government employees and several other categories for the financial year 2025-26. Officials said the benefits were approved through a government order issued on August 14.
Under the order, employees eligible for the bonus will get one month’s pay or Rs 4,500, whichever is lower. Those not covered under the bonus scheme will receive a special festival allowance at different rates based on their category.
The bonus will apply to state government employees, employees of aided educational institutions and employees of local self-government institutions whose total salary was up to Rs 49,275 under the 11th Pay Revision scale as on March 31, 2026. To qualify, employees must have been in service on March 31, 2026, and must have completed at least six months of continuous service during the financial year 2025-26.
The order said the special festival allowance will range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 1,250. Personal staff of ministers, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition and Chief Whip who entered service after the last Onam vacation will be eligible for Rs 3,000.
ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, helpers and ayahs, palliative care nurses and BUDS school teachers and employees will get Rs 1,450. School counsellors will receive Rs 1,390, while additional staff of MLAs will get Rs 1,350. Service pensioners, family pensioners and other categories of pensioners will be eligible for Rs 1,250.
The order also said employees and pensioners will be eligible for only one benefit, either the bonus or the special festival allowance. Disbursal of the bonus and allowance will begin on August 17, and the benefits for 2025-26 must be drawn and disbursed on or before March 31, 2027.
The Kerala government has sanctioned a bonus of up to Rs 4,500 and a special festival allowance for state government employees and several other categories for the financial year 2025-26. Officials said the benefits were approved through a government order issued on August 14.
Under the order, employees eligible for the bonus will get one month’s pay or Rs 4,500, whichever is lower. Those not covered under the bonus scheme will receive a special festival allowance at different rates based on their category.
The bonus will apply to state government employees, employees of aided educational institutions and employees of local self-government institutions whose total salary was up to Rs 49,275 under the 11th Pay Revision scale as on March 31, 2026. To qualify, employees must have been in service on March 31, 2026, and must have completed at least six months of continuous service during the financial year 2025-26.
The order said the special festival allowance will range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 1,250. Personal staff of ministers, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition and Chief Whip who entered service after the last Onam vacation will be eligible for Rs 3,000.
ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, helpers and ayahs, palliative care nurses and BUDS school teachers and employees will get Rs 1,450. School counsellors will receive Rs 1,390, while additional staff of MLAs will get Rs 1,350. Service pensioners, family pensioners and other categories of pensioners will be eligible for Rs 1,250.
The order also said employees and pensioners will be eligible for only one benefit, either the bonus or the special festival allowance. Disbursal of the bonus and allowance will begin on August 17, and the benefits for 2025-26 must be drawn and disbursed on or before March 31, 2027.
The Kerala government has sanctioned a bonus of up to Rs 4,500 and a special festival allowance for state government employees and several other categories for the financial year 2025-26. Officials said the benefits were approved through a government order issued on August 14.
Under the order, employees eligible for the bonus will get one month’s pay or Rs 4,500, whichever is lower. Those not covered under the bonus scheme will receive a special festival allowance at different rates based on their category.
The bonus will apply to state government employees, employees of aided educational institutions and employees of local self-government institutions whose total salary was up to Rs 49,275 under the 11th Pay Revision scale as on March 31, 2026. To qualify, employees must have been in service on March 31, 2026, and must have completed at least six months of continuous service during the financial year 2025-26.
The order said the special festival allowance will range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 1,250. Personal staff of ministers, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition and Chief Whip who entered service after the last Onam vacation will be eligible for Rs 3,000.
ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, helpers and ayahs, palliative care nurses and BUDS school teachers and employees will get Rs 1,450. School counsellors will receive Rs 1,390, while additional staff of MLAs will get Rs 1,350. Service pensioners, family pensioners and other categories of pensioners will be eligible for Rs 1,250.
The order also said employees and pensioners will be eligible for only one benefit, either the bonus or the special festival allowance. Disbursal of the bonus and allowance will begin on August 17, and the benefits for 2025-26 must be drawn and disbursed on or before March 31, 2027.
