Author
LoansJagat Team
Read Time
5 Min
29 May 2025
Imagine Neha, who joined a private firm in 2014 with a basic salary of ₹50,000 and retired in 2024 after 10 years of service. She was thrilled to learn about her gratuity—Isn’t it interesting how a simple formula turns loyalty into a neat sum?
This one-time payment, which is tax-free up to ₹30,00,000, serves as a significant “thank you” for your years of dedicated work. Isn’t it cool that every year adds half a month’s salary to your total amount? Whether you’re retiring or changing jobs, gratuity is a sweet reward for staying loyal to your company!
Imagine Ramesh, who joined an IT company in 2004 as a software developer with a basic salary of ₹40,000. After 20 years of loyal service, he retired in 2024. As per the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, he is eligible for a gratuity payment.
The gratuity formula is:
Gratuity = (15 × Last drawn basic salary × Years of service) ÷ 26
= (15 × 40,000 × 20) ÷ 26 = ₹4,61,538
This amount is paid tax-free (up to a ₹30 lakh limit) and serves as a reward for his long-term contributions.
Key Points:
Details | Value |
Basic Salary | ₹40,000 |
Years of Service | 20 |
Gratuity Formula | (15×Salary×Years)/26 |
Gratuity Amount | ₹4,61,538 |
Let’s say Priya joined a textile factory in Surat in 2018 with a basic salary of ₹30,000. She worked there for 6 years and left the job in 2024 to start her own business. Since she worked for more than 5 years, she got gratuity.
Raj also worked at the same place but sadly died in a road accident after 2 years. Even though he didn’t complete 5 years, his family still got gratuity because the rule is relaxed in case of death or disability.
Key Eligibility Points:
Eligibility Table
Condition | Gratuity Eligible? |
6 years in the covered firm | Yes |
2 years, but due to death | Yes |
3 years, voluntary resignation | No |
10+ employees in the organisation | Yes (Act applies) |
Gratuity Calculation Formula:
Gratuity = (Last Drawn Salary × 15 / 26) × Years of Service
Let’s understand this with a simple example.
Amit worked at a company for 12 years and decided to retire. His last drawn basic salary plus dearness allowance was ₹40,000. To calculate his gratuity:
Gratuity = (₹40,000 × 15 / 26) × 12
= ₹23,077 × 12
= ₹2,76,924
So, Amit received ₹2,76,924 as a thank-you gift for his long service. The 15/26 part means he gets half a month's salary for each year. This formula ensures loyal employees are rewarded fairly at the end of their journey.
Let’s say Ravi and Anil are close friends. Ravi worked as a government school teacher, while Anil worked in a private IT company. Both retired after 8 years of service, with a last drawn salary of ₹40,000.
They used the same formula:
Gratuity = (₹40,000 × 15 / 26) × 8 = ₹1,84,615
Both received ₹1,84,615 as gratuity. However, there was a key difference.
Ravi, a government employee, didn’t pay any tax on it — it was entirely tax-free.
Anil (a private employee) was taxed, but only on the amount exceeding ₹20,00,000, if applicable.
Key Points:
Gratuity Comparison Table
Aspect | Government Sector | Private Sector |
Formula | (Salary × 15/26) × Years | (Salary × 15/26) × Years |
Fully tax-free | Tax-free up to ₹20 lakh | |
Salary Considered | Basic + DA | Basic + DA |
Max Tax-Free Limit | ₹25,00,000 | ₹20,00,000 |
Governing Rule | Central Civil Services Rules | Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 |
For Example, Meena worked at a company for 10 years, and her last drawn basic salary plus dearness allowance was ₹45,000. She used an online gratuity calculator from Policybazaar. After entering:
The calculator gave her:
Gratuity = (₹45,000 × 15 / 26) × 10 = ₹2,59,615
This saved her time and gave an accurate estimate. She cross-checked the formula against the manual and found it correct.
Step | What to Do |
Choose a trusted platform | Use sites like Policybazaar, ET Money, or Kotak Life |
Enter accurate data | Input the correct salary (basic + DA) and years of service |
Verify results | Match with the formula: (Salary × 15 / 26) × Years |
Check limits | Know the ₹20 lakh tax-free ceiling |
Get expert help | Consult a financial advisor if you have unique situations |
Tax Implications on Gratuity
The information below is taken from an Economic Times article.
Let’s say Mr Verma, a senior central government employee, retired on February 1, 2024, after 30 years of service. His last drawn basic salary was ₹80,000, and he also received a Dearness Allowance (DA) of 50%, thanks to the recent hike.
Let’s calculate his gratuity:
Gratuity = (₹80,000 × 15 / 26) × 30 = ₹13,84,615
Earlier, the maximum gratuity limit was ₹20 lakh, but starting January 1, 2024, it has been increased to ₹25 lakh. So, Mr Verma would get the full ₹13.84 lakh without any tax deduction — and if his calculation had gone up to ₹25 lakh, even that would be fully tax-free under the new rule.
Key Highlights:
Facts & Figures Table
Particulars | Details |
Old Gratuity Limit | ₹20,00,000 |
New Gratuity Limit | ₹25,00,000 |
Effective Date | January 1, 2024 |
DA Hike | From 46% to 50% |
Circular Issued | May 30, 2024 |
Eligible Employees | Central Government Employees |
Here's a table summarising Gratuity Eligibility in Different Scenarios:
Scenario | Is Gratuity Payable? | Minimum Service Required | Who Receives It? | Special Notes |
Resignation | Yes | 5 years | Employee | Must complete 5 years of continuous service with the same employer. |
Retirement | Yes | 5 years | Employee | Payable upon superannuation or voluntary retirement after 5 years. |
Death | Yes | No | Nominee or legal heirs | 5-year service rule waived. Full gratuity is paid based on length of service. |
Disablement | Yes | No | Employee | The 5-year rule is waived if the disability is due to an accident or disease. |
Termination | Conditional | Depends | Employee (if not for misconduct) | Not payable if terminated due to fraud, misconduct, or moral turpitude. |
Gratuity is a special thank-you payment from your employer for your years of service. You get it when you retire, leave after 5 years, or if you die or become disabled. It’s calculated based on your last salary and the length of your employment. Government workers receive a full tax-free gratuity, while private workers are eligible for tax benefits of up to ₹20 lakh. The government limit has recently increased to ₹25 lakh. Knowing about gratuity helps you easily receive the money you deserve.
Q1: What is gratuity, and when do I receive it?
Gratuity is a lump-sum payment given by your employer when you retire, resign after 5 years, or in case of death or disability.
Q2: How is gratuity calculated?
Gratuity = (Last drawn salary × 15 ÷ 26) × Years of service.
Q3: Who is eligible for gratuity?
Employees working at firms with 10+ employees, with at least 5 years of continuous service (except in death or disability cases).
Q4: Is gratuity taxable?
Government employees receive an entirely tax-free gratuity, while private employees are eligible for a tax exemption of up to ₹20,00,000.
Q5: Has the gratuity limit changed recently?
Yes, for central government employees, the tax-free gratuity limit has increased from ₹20,00,000 to ₹25,00,000, effective January 1, 2024.
How to Guides – Investing, Trading & Wealth Building | ||
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LoansJagat Team
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