Kerala Government announces Onam bonuses and advances for employees

The Kerala government has sanctioned Onam bonuses, special festival allowances, and advances for the 2025-26 financial year. The benefits apply to government employees, teachers, employees of aided educational institutions, full-time contingent staff, various other categories of workers, and pensioners.

Eligible government employees will receive a bonus of Rs 4,500. Those not eligible for the bonus will receive a special festival allowance of Rs 3,000, while service pensioners will receive Rs 1,250. Disbursement is scheduled to begin on August 17.

Specific allowances include Rs 1,550 for teachers in single-teacher and itinerant schools, as well as ayahs and noon-meal workers. Daily-wage workers through employment exchanges will receive Rs 1,460, and Anganwadi helpers, ayahs, and palliative care nurses will receive Rs 1,450.

All government employees, including the personal staff of ministers, the Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker, and Chief Whip, will receive an Onam advance of Rs 20,000. This advance must be repaid in five equal monthly installments via salary deductions starting in October. Additionally, an Onam advance of Rs 6,000 has been sanctioned for various groups, including part-time contingent employees, seasonal workers, and Anganwadi workers.