Ad-hoc Relief Allowance 2024 for Federal Government Employees: 25% and 20% Rates
ARA-2024 was sanctioned from 1 July 2024 at 25% of running basic pay for BPS-1 to BPS-16 and 20% for BPS-17 to BPS-22.
Overview
ARA-2024 was sanctioned from 1 July 2024 at 25% of running basic pay for BPS-1 to BPS-16 and 20% for BPS-17 to BPS-22.
Key Highlights
- BPS-1 to BPS-16: 25% of running basic pay.
- BPS-17 to BPS-22: 20% of running basic pay.
- The allowance was sanctioned with effect from 1 July 2024 and continued until further orders.
- It covered Federal Government employees identified in the memorandum, including Armed Forces Personnel, Civil Armed Forces, civil employees, civilians paid from Defence Estimates, contingent-paid staff and qualifying contract employees appointed against civil posts in Basic Pay Scales.
- The allowance was subject to income tax and admissible during leave and the entire LPR period except extraordinary leave.
- It was not treated as emoluments for pension or gratuity calculations or House Rent recovery.
- It was not admissible during posting or deputation abroad; on repatriation, the employee could receive the rate and amount that would have applied had they not been posted abroad.
Detailed Explanation
Finance Division Office Memorandum F. No. 1(1)Imp/2024-254 dated 10 July 2024 grants Ad-hoc Relief Allowance-2024 to Federal Government employees from 1 July 2024. The memorandum sets different percentages for BPS-1 to BPS-16 and BPS-17 to BPS-22 and carries forward the usual conditions governing tax, leave, pension treatment and overseas posting.
Key Details of the Notification
- BPS-1 to BPS-16: 25% of running basic pay.
- BPS-17 to BPS-22: 20% of running basic pay.
- The allowance was sanctioned with effect from 1 July 2024 and continued until further orders.
- It covered Federal Government employees identified in the memorandum, including Armed Forces Personnel, Civil Armed Forces, civil employees, civilians paid from Defence Estimates, contingent-paid staff and qualifying contract employees appointed against civil posts in Basic Pay Scales.
- The allowance was subject to income tax and admissible during leave and the entire LPR period except extraordinary leave.
- It was not treated as emoluments for pension or gratuity calculations or House Rent recovery.
- It was not admissible during posting or deputation abroad; on repatriation, the employee could receive the rate and amount that would have applied had they not been posted abroad.
Scope and Application
ARA-2024 was sanctioned from 1 July 2024 at 25% of running basic pay for BPS-1 to BPS-16 and 20% for BPS-17 to BPS-22. The notification must be read with its stated coverage and existing terms and conditions. It does not establish an entitlement beyond the employee groups and organizations it identifies.
Conditions and Administrative Treatment
The memorandum states that personal pay granted because annual increments have taken an employee beyond the maximum of an existing pay scale is also included in the definition of Basic Pay for ARA-2024. The allowance was to be met within the 2024-25 budget allocation, with no supplementary grants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the ARA-2024 rate for BPS-1 to BPS-16?
25% of running basic pay.
What was the ARA-2024 rate for BPS-17 to BPS-22?
20% of running basic pay.
When did ARA-2024 take effect?
1 July 2024.
Was ARA-2024 included in pension or gratuity?
No. The memorandum excluded it from emoluments for pension and gratuity calculations and House Rent recovery.
Related EmployeesDesk Resources
Ad-hoc Relief Allowance-2025 and Basic Pay Scales 2026
Official Finance Division Office Memorandum
Consult the original Finance Division document for the full operative wording and distribution instructions: Download the Ad-hoc Relief Allowance 2024 for Federal Government Employees: 25% and 20% Rates (PDF).