Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) โ July, 2025
1. Labour Bureau, an attached office of the M/o Labour & Employment, has been compiling Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers every month on the basis of retail prices collected from 317 markets spread over 88 industrially important centres in the country. The index for the month of July, 2025 is being released in this press release.
2. The All-India CPI-IW for July, 2025 increased by 1.5 point and stood at 146.5 (one hundred forty-six point five).
2. It has been decided that a one-time, one-way switch facility from UPS to NPS shall be made available to all Central Government employees who have opted for UPS. This switch facility may be exercised by UPS optees any time not later than one year prior to the date of superannuation or three months prior to the deemed date of retirement in case of voluntary retirement, as applicable. Similar provisions will be made for resignation and cases of Rule 56J, with minor modifications as necessary. If switch facility not exercised as per aforesaid timelines, the employee shall continue under UPS by default.
3. The switch facility will not be allowed in case of removal, dismissal or compulsory retirement as a penalty or for cases where disciplinary proceedings are ongoing or contemplated.
4. Once the switch facility is availed, the provisions of the PFRDA (Exit & Withdrawal under NPS) Regulations, 2015 shall apply. The concerned employee shall cease to be eligible for assured payouts and UPS benefits. The Governmentโs differential contribution (4%) at default investment pattern will be worked out and shall be credited to the individualโs NPS corpus at the time of exit.
5. Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of this O.M. to the notice of eligible officers/officials under your administrative control.
6. This issues with the approval of Competent authority
(Harkesh Chander) Under Secretary to the Government of India Tele no. 2374 8760
All Secretaries to the Government of India (as per Standard List)
AIRF demands early disbursement of Productivity Linked Bonus for 2024-25 before Puja/Dussehra festival
All India Railwaymenโs Federation
No. AIRF/387
Dated: 22.08.2025
The Chairman & CEO, Railway Board, Ministry of Railways, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.
Sub: Request for early disbursement of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for 2024-25 to Railway employees on the occasion of Puja Festival โ 2025
Dear Sir,
As you are well aware, the auspicious festival of Shardiya Navratra and Durga Puja, which holds immense cultural, social, and religious significance among the people across the country, will be celebrated from 22nd September 2025 to 2nd October 2025, with the major festivities of Durga Puja falling between 29th/30th September to 2nd October 2025, particularly in West Bengal and adjoining states. This festival is among the most widely celebrated across India, marked by great devotion, enthusiasm, and community participation. A large number of Railway employees and their families enthusiastically take part in these celebrations.
In keeping with the long-standing tradition, it is earnestly requested that the Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for 2024-25 be disbursed to Railway employees well before the commencement of the Puja/Dussehra festival season, so that employees may celebrate these occasions with dignity and financial ease.
It may be recalled that, owing to persistent efforts of this Federation and the overwhelming support of the workforce, the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015 came into force, enhancing the calculation ceiling under Section 12 of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 7,000 or the notified minimum wage for scheduled employment, whichever is higher.
Since 2015, substantial upward revisions have taken place in employeesโ emoluments. For instance, as per the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, the minimum wage for a Skilled Worker in Area โAโ stands at Rs. 25,506/- w.e.f. 01.04.2025. Further, following the implementation of the 7th Central Pay Commission, the minimum Basic Pay of a Central Government employee is fixed at Rs. 18,000/- per month. Therefore, continuation of the present monthly ceiling of Rs. 7,000/- for the calculation of PLB/Ad-hoc Bonus is wholly unjustified and urgently requires enhancement in line with current pay and wage structures.
In light of the above, AIRF strongly urges that the PLB for the year 2024-25 be disbursed to Railway employees without any ceiling limit, duly calculated on the basis of Basic Pay plus DA, and released well in advance of the Dussehra/Puja festival to provide timely relief and encouragement to the workforce.
We shall be grateful for your kind consideration and immediate favorable orders in this regard.
Yours sincerely, (Shiva Gopal Mishra) General Secretary
Copy to:
Member (Finance), Railway Board, New Delhi โ for necessary action.
DG (HR), Railway Board, New Delhi โ for necessary action.
Pr. E.D (IR), Railway Board, New Delhi โ for necessary action.
General Secretaries, All Affiliated Unions of AIRF โ For information.
Disbursement of August 2025 Salary to Central Government Employees in Kerala Ahead of Onam Festival
F. No. TA-2-03002(2)/1/2020/TA-II/(E-3001)/277-290 Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure Controller General of Accounts Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan, E Block, GPO Complex INA, New Delhi-110023
Date:21-08-2025
OFFICะ ะะMORANDUM
Subject: Disbursement of salary/wages/pension to the Central Government Employees/Pensioners in the State of Kerala for the month of August, 2025 on account of ONAM festival-reg.
In view of the โONAMโ festival, the Government has decided that the salary/wages/pension of all Central Government employees in the State of Kerala may be drawn and disbursed by the Central Government offices (including Defence, Posts & Telecommunications) on 25-08-2025 (Monday).
2.The wages of the industrial employees of the Central Government serving in the State of Kerala may also be disbursed in advance as per the date given above.
3.The pension of all Central Government Pensioners in the State of Kerala may also be disbursed by Bank/PAOs as per the date given above.
4.The salary/wages/pension so disbursed is to be treated as advance payments and will be subject to adjustment after the full monthโs salary/wages/pension of each employee/pensioner is determined. The adjustment, if any, will be made without exception from the salary/wages/ pension of the month of August 2025.
5.The concerned Ministries/Departments are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of their offices located in the State of Kerala for necessary action immediately.
6. Reserve Bank of India is requested to bring these instructions to the notice of all paying branches of all Banks located in the State of Kerala for necessary action immediately.
(Sanchita Shukla) Joint Controller General of Accounts (ARPR
Disbursement of August 2025 Salary to Central Government Employees in Maharashtra Ahead of Ganapati Festival
F. No. 03002(2)/1/2020/TA-IT/(e-3001)/248- 310 Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure Controller General of Accounts Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan, E Block, GPO Complex INA, New Delhi-110023
Date: 22-08-2025.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Disbursement of salary/wages/pension to the Central Government Employees in the State of Maharashtra for the month of August, 2025 on account of Ganapati festival-reg.
In view of the โGanapatiโ festival, the Government has decided that the salary of all Central Government employees in the State of Maharashtra for the month of August 2025 may be drawn and disbursed by the Central Government offices (including Defence, Posts & Telecommunications) on 26th August 2025 (Tuesday).
2. The wages for August, 2025 of the industrial employees of Central Government serving in the State of Maharashtra may also be disbursed in advance on 26th August 2025
3. The pension for August, 2025 of all Central Government Pensioners in the State of Maharashtra may also be disbursed by Bank/PAOs on 26th August 2025.
4. The salary/wages/pension so disbursed is to be treated as advance payments and will be subject to adjustment after the full monthโs salary/wages/pension of each employee/pensioner is determined. The adjustment, if any, will be made without exception from the salary/wages/ pension of the month of August 2025.
5. The concerned Ministries/Departments are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of their offices located in the State of Maharashtra for necessary action immediately.
6. Reserve Bank of India is requested to bring these instructions to the notice of all paying branches of all Banks located in the State of Maharashtra for necessary action immediately.
(Sanchita Shukla) Joint Controller General of Accounts (ARPR)
To
All Ministries/Departments of Government of India.
All Pr.CCA/CCA/CA/Dy. CAs of all Ministries/Departments of Government of India.
The C&AG of India, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi
Amendments to CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 and Other Benefits for Government Employees with Disabilities
Rule 7, 12, 14, 19 & 20 of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 have been amended to align with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 vide Notification dated 03.04.2018. Further an OM dated 17.07.2018 was issued clarifying the applicability of Rule 20 of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 to the notification.
The reimbursement of Children Education Allowance (CEA) for Divyaang Children has been set at โน4500/- per month which is double the prescribed normal rates of CEA vide issue of Office Memorandum dated 17 July 2018. The rates are further revised from โน4500/- to โน5625/- per month.
So far Other benefits related to Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 is concerned, the Government employees with benchmark disabilities are provided with four days of Special Casual Leave; Special Allowance of Rs. 3,000 per month is provided to the Women Government Servant with disabilities for Child Care from the time of birth of child till the child is two years old.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Family Pension to Divorced Daughters: Lok Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERSโ WELFARE)
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4550 (ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025)
FAMILY PENSION TO DIVORCED DAUGHTERS
โ 4550. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA: SHRI ALOK SHARMA:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that a divorced daughter of a Government servant is eligible to receive family pension;
(b) whether the family pension is admissible in case the daughter gets divorced after the death of both parents and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether a daughter is eligible to receive family pension if she is widowed or divorced after the retirement of the Government servant; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTERโS OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (d): Department of Pension and Pensionersโ Welfare (DoPPW) has notified the Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules, 2021. Various provisions have been incorporated in these rules and in the Office Memorandum No. F. No.1/1(1)/2022-P&PW(E) dated 26.10.2022 issued subsequently to ensure that a divorced/widowed daughter of a deceased Government employee or pensioner covered under these rules gets family pension on her turn. The same provisions as described hereunder are provided under separate Rules for Railway and Defence employees and pensioners. In terms of these rules:
Where a deceased Government employee or pensioner is not survived by a spouse or son or daughter eligible for family pension or if they die or cease to fulfil the eligibility conditions for family pension prescribed in the above mentioned rules and there is no disabled child eligible to receive family pension, the family pension shall be granted or continued to be payable to an unmarried or widowed or divorced daughter beyond the age of twenty-five years for life or until she gets married or re-married or until she starts earning her livelihood, whichever is the earliest subject to the conditions like the unmarried or widowed or divorced daughter was dependent on her parent or parents when he or she or they were alive. Further, in the case of widowed daughter, death of her husband and in the case of divorced daughter, her divorce took place or the divorce proceedings filed in a competent court during the lifetime of the Government servant or pensioner or his or her spouse
National Workshop on Pension Litigation convened on 02nd July 2025: DOPPW O.M
เคซเคพ.เคจ. 38/01(01)/2025-P&PW (A) (10871) เคญเคพเคฐเคค เคธเคฐเคเคพเคฐ Government of India เคเคพเคฐเฅเคฎเคฟเค, เคฒเฅเค เคถเคฟเคเคพเคฏเคค เคเคฐ เคชเฅเคเคถเคจ เคฎเคเคคเฅเคฐเคพเคฒเคฏ Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions เคชเฅเคเคถเคจ เคเคฐ เคชเฅเคเคถเคจเคญเฅเคเฅ เคเคฒเฅโเคฏเคพเคฃ เคตเคฟเคญเคพเค Department of Pension & Pensionersโ Welfare
เคฒเฅเค เคจเคพเคฏเค เคญเคตเคจ 3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan เคเคพเคจ เคฎเคพเคฐเฅเคเฅเค เคจเค เคฆโเคฟเคฒเฅโเคฒเฅ Khan Market, New Delhi-110 003 เคฆโเคฟเคจเคพเคเค Dated: 08 August 2025
เคเคพเคฐเฅเคฏเคพเคฒเคฏ เคเฅเคเคพเคชเคจ
เคตโเคฟเคทเคฏ: National Workshop on Pension Litigation convened on 02nd July 2025 โ reg.
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare has convened a National Workshop on Pension Litigation on July 02, 2025 with focus on improving Pension litigation strategy/skills and greater coordination amongst all stakeholders. The Workshop was attended by Nodal Officers and Panel Lawyers of all Ministries/Departments including Legal Experts. The workshop also envisaged the pursuance of Department of Legal Affairsโ Directive dated 04.04.2025 for Effective and Efficient Management of Litigation by Government of India.
2. In this connection, please find enclosed herewith following documents for information pl:-
i. Proceedings Report of the Workshop. ii. Compendium of Case Studies on Pension Litigation. ii. Flyer on Pension Litigation
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONS No. 2642
TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)
โEIGHTH CPCโ
2642: Shri Javed Ali Khan:
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
(a) the details of dates on which inputs regarding constitution of Eighth CPC were sought from major stakeholder, including Ministries/Departments of Central Governmentอพ
(b) the details of responses received from above Ministries/Departments along with the date of their receiptอพ
(c) the reasons as to why Government has failed to notify the Commission even after lapse of around 7 monthsอพ
(d) whether fiscal condition of Central Government is not commensurate to constitute Eighth CPCอพ
(e) if so, the reasons and factors responsible for such a poor fiscal conditionอพ and
(f) the timeline by which the Commission would be notified and Chairperson and Members would be appointed?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) Inputs for the terms of reference of the Eighth CPC had been sought from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Personnel & Training and all the States vide communications dated 17.01.2025 and 17.02.2025.
(b) & (c): The inputs sought are still being received and the official notification would be issued in due course.
(d):It has been decided by the Government to constitute the 8th Central Pay Commission.
(e): Does not arise.
(f): Official notification would be issued in due course. The Chairperson and Members of the 8th CPC would be appointed once the 8th CPC is notified by the Government.
DA/DR Arrears from COVID Period Not Feasible: Government Clarified again in Lok Sabha
Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure Lok Sabha
Un-Starred Question No 3638 To be answered on Monday, 11th August, 2025 Sravana 20, 1947 (Saka)
DA Arrears for Central Government Employees during COVID-19
3638. Shri Anand Bhadauria :
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state :
(a) whether the decision to freeze 18 months dearness allowance and dearness relief for Central Government employees and pensioners during COVID-19 were taken due to economic disruption and to ease pressure on Government finances;
(b) if so, whether fiscal condition of the Government is still under pressure and is on the verge of bankruptcy;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for failure of the Government to keep the robust fiscal condition of the country upto the mark which it inherited in legacy in 2014; and
(d) if not, the time by which the Government would release the arrears of 18 months DA/DR?
Answer Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Pankaj Chaudhary)
(a) The decision to freeze three instalments of Dearness Allowance (DA) / Dearness Relief (DR) to Central Government employees / pensioners due from 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 & 01.01.2021 was taken in the context of COVID-19, which caused economic disruption, so as to ease pressure on Government finances.
(b)& (c) The fiscal deficit of the Government of India has narrowed from 9.2 per cent in the Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 to 4.4 per cent in the FY 2025-26 (Budget Estimates).
(d) The adverse financial impact of pandemic in 2020 and the financing of welfare measures taken by the Government had a fiscal spill over beyond FY 2020-21. Therefore, arrears of DA/DR were not considered feasible.
