NYAYA SIGNAL
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu · 1965 · Bare Act

The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965

 1

THE PAYMENT OF BONUS ACT, 1965 
 

INTRODUCTION 
  
 The practice of paying bonus in India appears to have originated during First 
World War when certain textile mills granted 10% of wages as war bonus to their 
workers in 1917.  In certain cases of industrial disputes demand for payment of 
bonus was also included.  In 1950, the Full Bench of the Labour Appellate evolved 
a formula for determination of bonus.  A plea was made to raise that formula in 
1959.  At the second and third meetings of the Eighteenth Session of Standing 
Labour Committee (G. O.I.) held in New Delhi in March/April 1960, it was agreed 
that a Commission be appointed to go into the question of bonus and evolve 
suitable norms.  A Tripartite Commission was set up by the Government of India to 
consider in a comprehensive manner,  the question of payment of bonus based on 
profits to employees employed in establishments and to make recommendations to 
the Government.  The Government of India accepted the recommendations of the 
Commission subject to certain modifications.  To implement these 
recommendations the Payment of Bonus Ordinance, 1965 was promulgated on 
29th May, 1965.  To replace the said Ordinance the Payment of Bonus Bill was 
introduced in the Parliament. 
 
STATEMENT OF OBJECT AND REASONS 
 
 A Tripartite Commission was set by the Government of India by their 
resolution No.WB-20(9)/61, dated 6th December, 1961 to consider in a 
comprehensive manner, the question of payment of bonus based on profits to 
employees employed in establishments and to make recommendations to the 
Government.  The Commission’s Report containing their recommendations was 
received by the Government on 24th January, 1964.  In their Resolution No. WB-
20(3)/64, dated the 2nd September, 1964, the Government announced acceptance 
of the Commission’s recommendations subject to a few modifications as were 
mentioned therein.  With a view to implement the recommendations of the 
Commission as accepted by the Government, the Payment of Bonus Ordinance, 
1965, was promulgated on 29th May, 1965.  The object of the Bill is to replace the 
said Ordinance.  
 
 The notes on clauses explain the various provisions of the Bill. 
 
ACT 21 OF 1965 
 
 The Payment of Bonus Bill having been passed by both the Houses of 
Parliament received the assent of the President on 25th September, 1965.  It 
came on the Statute Book as THE PAYMENT OFBONUS ACT, 1965 (21 of 
1965). 
 
LIST OF AMENDING ACTS    
 
1. The Insurance (Amendment) Act, 1968 (62 of 1968). 
2. The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1969 (8 of 1969). 



 2

3. The Central Labour Laws (Extension of Jammu And Kashmir) Act, 1970  
 (51 of 1970). 
4. The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1972 (68 of 1972). 
5. The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1973 (39 of 1973). 
6. The Payment of Bonus (Second Amendment) Act, 1973 (55 of 1973). 
7. The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1974(42 of 1974). 
8 The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1976(23 of 1976). 
9 The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1977 (43 of 1977) [as amended 

by the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1978 (48of 1978) and the 
Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1980 (5 of 1980)]. 

10. The Payment of Bonus (Second Amendment) Act, 1980 (66 of 1980). 
11. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981 (61 of 

1981). 
12. The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1985 (30 of 1985). 
13. The Payment of Bonus (Second Amendment) Act, 1985 (67of 1985). 
14. The National Housing Bank Act, 1987 (53 of 1987). 
15. The Small Industries Development Bank of India Act, 1989 (39 of 1989). 
16 The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1995 (34 of 1995). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 3

THE PAYMENT OF BONUS ACT, 1965 
 

(21 of 1965)1 
[25th September, 1965] 

 
2[An Act to provide for the payment of bonus to persons employed in certain 
establishments on the basis of profits or on the basis of production or productivity 
and for matters connected therewith.] 
 
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixteenth Year of the Republic of India as 
follows:- 
 
1. Short title, extent and application.-(1) This Act may be called the 
Payment of Bonus Act, 1965. 
(2) It extends to the whole of India3[***]. 
(3). Save as otherwise provided in this Act, it shall apply to – 

(a) every factory; and  
(b) every other establishment in which twenty or more persons are 

employed on any day during an accounting year. 
 4[Provided that the appropriate Government may, after giving not less than 
two months’ notice of its intention so to do, by notification in the Official Gazette, 
apply the provisions of this Act with effect from; such accounting year as may be 
specified in the notification, to any establishment or class of establishment 
[including an establishment being a factory within the meaning of sub-clause (ii) 
of clause (m) of section 2 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948)] employing 
such number of persons less than twenty as may be specified in the notification; 
so, however, that the number of persons so specified shall in no case be less 
than ten.] 
 
(4). Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions of this Act shall, in 
relation to a factory or other establishment to which  this Act applies, have effect 
in respect of the accounting year commencing on any day in the year 1964 and 
in respect of every subsequent accounting year: 
 
5[Provided that in relation to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the reference to 
the accounting year commencing on any day in the year 1964 and every 
subsequent accounting year shall be construed as reference to the accounting 
year commencing on any day in the 1968 and every subsequent accounting 
year:] 
 
4[Provided further that when the provisions of this Act have been made 
applicable to any establishment or class of establishments by the issue of a 
notification under the proviso to sub-section (3), the reference to the accounting 

                                            
1
 The Act has been extended to Goa, Daman and Die by Act 6 of 1977, sec. 2 and sch. 

2
 Subs. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 2, for the long title (w.r.e.f 25-9-1975). 

3
 The words ”except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 51 of 1970, sec. 2 and sch. 

(w.e.f 1-9-1971). 
4
 Ins. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 3 (w.r.e.f 1-9-1975). 

5
 Added by Act 51 of 1970 sec. 2 and sch. (w.e.f 1-9-1971) 



 4

year commencing on any day in the year 1964 and every subsequent accounting 
year or, as the case may be the reference to the accounting year commencing on 
any day in the year 1968 and every subsequent accounting year, shall, in relation 
to such establishment or class of establishments, be construed as a reference to 
the accounting year specified in such notification and every subsequent 
accounting year.] 
 
(5) An establishment to which this Act applies 1[***] shall continue to be 
governed by this Act notwithstanding that the number of person employed therein 
falls below twenty 2[or, as the case may be, the number specified in the 
notification issued under the proviso to sub-section (3)]. 
 
 2. Definition.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- 
 
(1) “accounting year” means - 
(i) in relation to a corporation, the year ending on the day on which the books 

and accounts of the corporation are to be closed and balanced. 
  
(ii) in relation to a company, the period in respect of which any profit and loss 

account of the company laid before it in annual general meeting is  made 
up, whether that period is a year or not; 

 
(iii) in any other case - 
 

(a) the year commencing on the 1st day of April; or 
(b) if the accounts of an establishment maintained by the employer thereof 

are closed and balanced on any day other than the 31st day of March, 
then, at the option of the employer, the year ending on the day on which 
its accounts are so closed and balanced: 

 
Provided that an option once exercised by the employer under 

paragraph (b) of this sub-clause shall not again be exercised except with the 
previous permission in writing of the prescribed authority and upon such 
conditions as that authority may think fit; 

 
(2) “agricultural income” shall have the same meaning as in the Income-tax  
 Act; 
(3) “agricultural income-tax law” means any law for the time being in force 

relating to the levy of tax on agricultural income; 
(4) “allocable surplus” means- 

(a) in relation to an employer, being a company 3[(other than a banking 
company)] which has not made the arrangements prescribed under the 
Income-tax Act for the declaration and payment within India of the 
dividends payable out of its profits in accordance with the provisions of 

                                            
1
 The words “under clause (b) of sub-section (3)” omitted by Act pf 1976, sec. 3 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 

2
 Added by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 3 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 

3
 Omitted by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 4(w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) and ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 2 (w.r.e.f. 

21.8.1980) 



 5

section 194 of that Act, sixty-seven per cent of the available surplus in 
an accounting; year; 

(b) in any other case, sixty percent of such available surplus; 
1[***] 
 
(5) “appropriate Government” means- 
 

(i) in relation to an establishment in respect of which the appropriate 
Government under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), is 
the Central Government, the Central Government; 

(ii) in relation to any other establishment, the Government of the State in 
which that other establishment is situate; 

(6) “available surplus” means the available surplus computed under section 5; 
(7) “award” means an interim or a final determination of any industrial dispute or 

of any question relating thereto by any Labour Court, Industrial Tribunal or 
National Tribunal constituted under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 
1947), or by any other authority constituted under any corresponding law 
relating to investigation and settlement of industrial disputes in force in a 
State and includes an arbitration award made under section 10A of that Act 
or under that law; 

(8) “banking company” means a banking company as defined in section 5 of the 
Banking Companies Act, 1949 (10 of 1949), and includes the State Bank of 
India, any subsidiary bank as defined in the State Bank of India (Subsidiary 
Banks) Act, 1959 (38 of 1959) 2[any corresponding new bank specified in 
the First Schedule to the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of 
Undertakings) Act, 1970 (5 of 1970), 3[any corresponding new bank 
constituted under section 3 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and 
Transfer of Under takings) Act, 1980 (40 of 1980),] any co-operative bank 
as defined in clause (bii) of section 2 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 
(2 of 1934),] and any other banking institution which may be notified in this 
behalf by the Central Government; 

(9) “company” means any company as defined is section3 of the Companies 
Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), and includes a foreign company within the meaning of 
section 591 of that Act; 

(10) “co-operative society” means  society registered or deemed to be registered 
under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912), or any other law for 
the time being in force in any State relating to co-operating societies; 

(11) “corporation” means any body corporate established by or under any 
Central, Provincial or State Act but does not include a company or a co-
operative society; 

(12) “direct tax” means- 
(a) any tax chargeable under- 

(i) the  Income-tax Act; 
(ii) the Super Profits Tax Act, 1963 (14 of 1963); 
(iii) the Companies (Profits) Surtax Act, 1964 (7 of 1964); 

                                            
1
 Certain words omitted by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 4 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 

2
 Ins. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 4 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 

3
 Ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 2 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 



 6

(iv) the agricultural income-tax law; and  
(b) any other tax which, having regard to its nature or incidence, may by 

declared by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, 
to be a direct tax for the purposes of this Act; 

(13)  “employee” means any person (other than an apprentice) employed on a 
salary or wage not exceeding 1[three thousand and five hundred rupees] per 
mensem in any industry to do any skilled or unskilled manual, supervisory, 
managerial, administrative, technical or clerical work for hire or reward, 
whether the terms of employment be express or implied; 

 
(14)  “employer includes- 

(i)  in relation to an establishment which is a factory, the owner or occupier 
of the factory, including the agent of such owner or occupier,  the legal 
representative of a deceased owner or occupier and where a person 
has been named as a manager of the factory under clause (f) of sub-
section (1) of section 7 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948), the 
person so named; and 

(ii) in relation to any other establishment, the person who, or the authority 
which, has the ultimate control over the affairs of the establishment and 
where the said affairs are entrusted to a manager, managing director or 
managing agent, such manager, managing director or managing agent; 

(15) “establishment in private sector” means any establishment other than an 
establishment in public sector; 

(16) “establishment in public sector” means an establishment owned, controlled 
or managed by- 

 
(a) a Government company as defined in section 617 of the Companies 

Act, 1956 (1 of 1956); 
(b) a corporation in which not less than forty per cent of its capital is held 

(whether singly or taken together) by- 
(i) the Government; or 
(ii) the Reserve Bank of India; or 
(iii) a corporation owned by the Government or the Reserve Bank of 

India; 
(17) “factory” shall have the same meaning as in clause (m) of section 2 of the 

Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948); 
(18) “gross profits” means the gross profits calculated under section 4; 
(19) “Income-tax Act” means the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961); 
(20) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 
(21) “salary or wage” means all remuneration (other than remuneration in 

respect of over-time work) capable of being expressed in terms of money, 
which would, if the terms of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled, 
be payable to an employee in respect of his employment or of work done in 
such employment and includes dearness allowance (that is to say, all cash 
payments, by whatever name called, paid to an employee on account of a 
rise in the cost of living), but does not include-  

                                            
1
 subs. by Act 34 of 1995, sec. 2 for ‘two thousand and five hundred rupees’ (w.r.e.f. 1.4.1993) 



 7

(i) any other allowance which  the employee is for the time being entitled 
to; 

(ii) the value of any house accommodation or supply of light, water, 
medical attendance or other amenity or of any service or of any 
concessional supply of food grains or other articles; 

(iii) any traveling concession; 
(iv) any bonus (including incentive, production and attendance bonus); 
(v) any contribution paid or payable by the employer to any pension fund or 

provident fund or for the benefit of the employee under any law for the 
time being in force; 

(vi) any retrenchment compensation or any gratuity or other retirement 
benefit payable to the employee or any ex gratia payment made to him;  

(vii) any commission payable to the employee. 
Explanation. – Where an employee is given in lieu of the whole or part of the salary or wage 
payable to him, free food allowance or free food by his employer, such food allowance or the 
value of such food shall, for the purpose of this clause, be deemed to from part of the salary or 
wage of such employee; 

(22) words and expressions used but not defined in this Act and defined in the 
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947) shall have the meanings 
respectively assigned to them in that Act. 

 
 3. Establishments to include departments, undertakings and branches.-- 
Where an establishment consists of different department or undertakings or has 
branches, whether situated in the same place or in different places, all; such 
departments or undertakings or branches shall be treated as parts of the same 
establishment for the purpose of computation of bonus under this Act: 
 
 Provided that where for any accounting year a separate balance-sheet and 
profit and loss account are prepared and maintained in respect of any such 
department or undertaking or branch, then such department or undertaking or 
branch shall be treated as a separate establishment for the purpose of 
computation of bonus, under this Act for that year, unless such department or 
undertaking or branch was, immediately before the commencement of that 
accounting year treated as part of the establishment for the purpose of 
computation of bonus. 
1[4. Computation of gross profits.—The gross profits derived by an employer 
from an establishment in respect of the accounting year shall— 

(a)  in the case of a banking company, be calculated in the manner 
specified in the First Schedule; 

(b) in any other case, be calculated in the manner specified in the Second 
Schedule;] 

5. Computation of available surplus.—The available surplus in respect of 
any accounting year shall be the gross profits for that year after deducting 
therefrom the sums referred to in section 6; 
  2[Provided that the available surplus in respect of the accounting year 
commencing on any day 1968 and in respect of every subsequent accounting 
year shall be the aggregate of – 

                                            
1
 Subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 3, for section 4 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 

2
 Added by Act 8 of 1969, sec. 2 (w.r.e.f. 26.3.1969) 



 8

(a) the gross profits for that accounting year after deducting therefrom the sums 
referred to in section 6; and  
(b) an amount equal to the difference between -- 

 
(i) the direct tax, calculated in accordance with the provisions of section 7, 

in respect of an amount equal to the gross profits of the employer for 
the immediately preceding accounting year; and 

(ii) the direct tax, calculated in accordance with the provisions of section 7, 
in respect of an amount equal to the gross profits of the employer for 
such preceding accounting year after deducting therefrom the amount 
of bonus which the employer has paid or is liable to pay to his 
employees in accordance with the provisions of this Act for that year.] 

 
6. Sums deductible from gross profits.—The following sums shall be 
deducted from the gross profits as prior charges, namely:- 
 

(a) any amount by way of depreciation admissible in accordance with the 
provisions of sub-section (1) of section 32 of the Income-tax Act, or in 
accordance with the provisions of the agricultural income-tax law, as the 
case may be: 

 Provided that where an employer has been paying bonus to his 
employees under a settlement or an award or agreement made before 
the 29th May, 1965, and subsisting on that date after deducting from the 
gross profits notional normal depreciation, then, the amount of 
depreciation to be deducted under this clause shall, at the option of 
such employer (such option to be exercised once and within one year 
from the date) continue to be such notional normal depreciation; 

(b) any amount by way of 1[development rebate or investment allowance or 
development allowance] which the employer is entitled to deduct from 
his income under the income-tax Act; 

(c) subject to the provisions of section 7, any direct tax which the employer 
is liable to pay for the accounting year in respect of his income, profits 
and gains during that year; 

(d) such further sums as are specified in respect of the employer in the 
2[Third Schedule]. 

 
7. Calculation of direct tax payable by the employer.—3[Any direct tax 
payable by the employer] for any accounting year shall, subject to the following 
provisions, be calculated at the rates applicable to the income of the employer for 
that year, namely:- 

(a)   in calculating such tax no account shall be taken of -- 

                                            
1
 Subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 4, for :development rebate or development allowance” (w.r.e.f. 

21.8.1980) 
2
 Subs. by Act of 1980,, sec. 4, for “Second Schedule: (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 

3
 Subs. by Act 8 of 1969, Sec. 3, for  “For the purpose of clause (c) of section 6, direct tax payable 

by the employer “ (w.r.e.f. 26.3.1969) 



 9

(i) any loss incurred by the employer in respect of any previous 
accounting year and carried forward under any law for the time 
being in force relating to direct taxes; 

(ii) any arrears of depreciation which the employer is entitled to add to 
the amount of the allowance for depreciation for any following 
accounting year or years under sub-section (2) of section 32 of the 
Income-tax Act; 

(iii) any exemption conferred on the employer under section 84 of the 
Income-tax Act or of any deduction to which he is entitled under 
sub-section (1) of section,101 of that Act, as in force immediately 
before the commencement of the Finance Act, 1965 (10 of 1965); 

 
(b)  where the employer is a religious or a charitable institution to which the 

provisions of section 32 do not apply and the whole or any part of its income 
is exempt from tax under the Income-tax Act, then, with respect to the 
income so exempted, such institution shall be treated as if it were a 
company in which the public are substantially interested within the meaning 
of that Act; 

(c) where the employer is individual or a Hindu Undivided Family, the tax 
payable by such employer under the Income-tax Act shall be calculated on 
the basis that the income derived by him from the establishment is his only 
income; 

(d) where the income of any employer includes any profits and gains derived 
from the export of any goods or merchandise out of India and any rebate on 
such income in allowed under any law for the time being in force relating to 
direct taxes, then, no account shall be taken of such rebate; 

(e) no account shall be taken of any rebate 1[(other than development rebate or 
investment allowance or development allowance)] or credit or relief or 
deduction (not herein before mentioned in this section) in the payment of 
any direct tax allowed under any law for the time being in force relating to 
direct taxes or under the relevant annual Finance Act, for the development 
of any industry. 

 
8. Eligibility for bonus.—Every employee shall be entitled to be paid by his 
employer in an accounting year, bonus, in accordance with the provisions of this 
Act, provided he has worked in the establishment for not less than thirty working 
days in that year. 
 
9. Disqualification for bonus.—Notwithstanding anything contained in this 
Act, an employee shall be disqualified from receiving bonus under this Act, if he 
is dismissed from service for --  

(a) fraud; or 
(b) riotous or violent behaviour while on the premises of the establishment; 

or 
(c) theft, misappropriation or sabotage of any property of the 

establishment. 

                                            
1
 subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 5, “(other than development rebate or development allowance)”  



 10

1[10. Payment of minimum bonus.—Subject to the other provisions of this Act, 
every employer shall be bound to pay to every employee in respect of the 
accounting year commencing on any day in the year 1979 and in respect of 
every subsequent accounting year, a minimum bonus which shall be 8.33 per 
cent of the salary or wage earned by the employee during the accounting year or 
one hundred rupees, whichever is higher, whether or not the employer has any 
allocable surplus in the accounting year: 
  
 Provided that where an employee has not completed fifteen years of age at 
the beginning of the accounting year, the provisions of this section shall have 
effecting relation to such employee as if for the words “one hundred rupees”,  the 
words “sixty rupees” were substituted.] 
 
2[11. Payment of maximum bonus.—(1) Where in respect of any accounting 
year referred to in section 10, the allocable surplus exceeds the amount of 
minimum bonus payable to the employees under that section, the employer shall, 
in lieu of such minimum bonus, be bound to pay to every employee in respect of 
that accounting; year bonus which shall be an amount in proportion to the salary 
or wage earned by the employee during the accounting year subject to a 
maximum of twenty per cent, of such salary or wage. 
 
(2)  In computing the allocable surplus under this section, the amount set on or 
the amount set off under the provisions of section 15 shall be taken into account 
in accordance with the provisions of that section.] 
 
3[12. Calculation of bonus with respect to certain employees.—Where the 
salary or wage of an employee exceeds 4[two thousand and five hundred rupees] 
per mensem, the bonus payable to such employee under section 10 or, as the 
case may be, under section 11, shall be calculated as if his salary or wage were 
[two thousand and five hundred rupees] per mensem.] 
 
5[13. Proportionate reduction in bonus in certain cases.—Where an 
employee has not worked for all the working days in an accounting year, the 
minimum bonus of one hundred rupees or, as the case may be, of sixty rupees, if 
such bonus is higher than 8.33 per cent, of his salary or wage for the days he 
has worked in that accounting year, shall be proportionately reduced.] 
 
14. Computation of number of working days.—For the purposes of section 
13, an employee shall be deemed to have worked in an establishment in any 
accounting year also on the days on which--  

(a) he has been laid off under an agreement or as permitted by standing 
orders under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 

                                            
1
 Section 10, subs. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 7 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) and again subs. Act of 66 of 1980, 

sec. 6 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 
2
 Section 11 omitted by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 8 (w.r.e.f. ) and ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 6 (w.r.e.f. 

21.8.1980) 
3
 Section 12 omitted by Act 30of 1985, sec. 2 and ins. by Act 67of 1985, sec. 3 (w.r.e.f.7.11.1985) 

4
 subs. by Act 34 of 1995, sec. 3 for ‘one thousand and six hundred rupees’ (w,.r.e.f. 1.4.1993) 

5
 subs by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 8, for section 13 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 



 11

(20 of 1946), or under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), or 
under any other law applicable to the establishment; 

(b) he has been on leave with salary or wage; 
(c) he has been absent due to temporary disablement caused by accident 

arising out of and in the course of his employment; and  
(d) the employee has been on maternity leave with salary or wage, during 

the accounting year. 
1[15.  Set on and set off of allocable surplus.— (1) Where for any accounting 
year, the allocable surplus exceeds the amount of maximum bonus payable to 
the employees in the establishment under section 11, then, the excess shall, 
subject to a limit of twenty per cent. of the total salary or wage of the employees 
employed in the establishment in that accounting year, be carried forward for 
being set on in the succeeding accounting year and so on up to and inclusive of 
the fourth accounting year to be utilized for the purpose of payment of bonus in 
the manner illustrated in the Fourth Schedule. 
(2) Where for any accounting year, there is no available surplus or the allocable 
surplus in respect of that year falls short of the amount of minimum bonus 
payable to the employees in the establishment under section 10, and there is no 
amount of sufficient amount carried forward and set on under sub-section (1) 
which could be utilized for the purpose of payment of the minimum bonus, then, 
such minimum amount or the deficiency, as the case may be, shall be carried 
forward for being set off in the succeeding accounting year and so on up to and 
inclusive of the fourth accounting year in the manner illustrated in the Fourth 
Schedule. 
(3) The principle of set on and set off as illustrated in the Fourth Schedule shall 
apply to all other cases not covered by sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) for the 
purpose of payment of bonus under this Act. 
(4) Where in any accounting year any amount has been carried forward and set 
on or set off under this section, then, in calculating bonus for the succeeding 
accounting year, the amount of set on or set off carried forward from the earliest 
accounting year shall first be taken into account.] 
 
16. Special provisions with respect to certain establishment— 2[(1) Where 
an establishment newly set up, whether before or after the commencement of 
this Act, the employees of such establishment shall be entitled to be paid bonus 
under this Act in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1A), (1B) and 
(1C). 
 
(1A) In the first five accounting year following the accounting year in which the 
employer sells the goods produced or manufactured by him or renders services, 
as the case may be, from such establishment, bonus shall be payable only in 
respect of the accounting year in which the employer derives profit from such 
establishment and such bonus shall be calculated in accordance with the 
provisions of this act in relation to that year, but with out applying the provisions 
of section 15. 
 

                                            
1
 Subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 9, for section 13 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 

2
 Subs. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 10, for sub-section (1) and Explanation thereto (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 



 12

(1B) For the sixth and seventh accounting year following the accounting year in 
which the employer sells the goods produced or manufactured by him or renders 
services, as the case may be, from such establishment, the provisions of section 
15 shall apply subject other following modifications, namely:-- 

(i) for the sixth accounting year -- 
  
 set on or set off, as the case may be, shall be made in the manner 

illustrated in the 1[Fourth Schedule] taking into account the excess or 
deficiency, if any, as the case may be, of the allocable surplus set on or 
set off in respect of the fifth and sixth accounting years; 

(ii) for the seventh accounting year -- 
 
 set on or set off, as the case may be, shall be made in the manner 

illustrated in the 1[Fourth Schedule] taking into account the excess or 
deficiency, if any, as the case may be, of the allocable surplus set on or 
set off in respect of the fifth, sixth and seventh accounting year. 

 
(1C) From the eighth accounting year following the accounting year in which the 
employer sells the goods produced or manufactured by him or renders services, 
as the case may be, from such establishment, the provisions of section 15 shall 
apply in relation to such establishment as they apply in relation to any other 
establishment. 
 
Explanation I. – For the purpose of sub-section (1), an establishment shall not be 
newly set up merely by reason of a change in its location, management, name or 
ownership. 
 
Explanation II. -- For the purpose of sub-section (1A), an employer shall not be 
deemed to have derived profit in any accounting year unless – 

 
(a) he has made provision for that year’s depreciation to which he is 

entitled under the Income-tax Act or, as the case may be, under the 
agricultural income-tax, law; and  

(b) the arrears of such depreciation and losses incurred by him in respect 
of the establishment for the previous accounting years have been fully 
set off against his profits. 

 
Explanation III. – For the purpose of sub-section (1A), (1B) and (1C), sale of the 
goods produced or manufactured during the course of the trial running of any 
factory or of the prospecting stage of any mine or an oil field shall not be taken 
into consideration and where any question arises with regard to such production 
or manufacture, the decision of the appropriate Government, made after giving 
the parties a reasonable opportunity of representing the case, shall be final and 
shall not be called in question by any court or other authority.] 
 

                                            
1
 Subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 10, for “Third Schedule” (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 



 13

(2) The provisions of 1[sub-section (1), (1A), (1B) and (1C)] shall, so far as may 
be, apply to new departments or undertakings or branches set up by existing 
establishments: 
  
 Provided that if an employer in relation to an existing establishment 
consisting of different (departments or undertakings or branches (whether or not 
in the same industry) set up at different periods has, before the 29th May, 1965, 
been paying bonus to the employees of all; such departments or undertakings or 
branches, irrespective of the date on which such departments or undertakings or 
branches were set up, on the basis of the consolidated profits computed in 
respect of all such departments or undertaking or branches, then, such employer 
shall be liable to pay bonus in accordance with the provisions of this Act to the 
employees of all such departments or undertaking or branches (whether set up 
before or after that date) on the basis of the consolidated profits computed as 
aforesaid. 
 
17. Adjustment of customary or interim bonus against bonus payable 
under the Act.—Whether in any accounting year -- 
 

(a)  an employer has paid any puja bonus or other customary bonus to an 
employee; or 

(b) an employer has paid a part of the bonus payable under this Act to an 
employee before the date on which such bonus becomes payable. 

 
then, the employer shall  be entitled to deduct the amount of bonus so paid from 
the amount of bonus payable by him to the employee under this Act in respect of 
that accounting year and the employee shall be entitled to receive only the 
balance. 
 
18. Deduction of certain amounts from bonus payable under the Act. – 
Where in any accounting year, an employee is found guilty of misconduct 
causing financial loss to the employer, then, it shall be lawful for the employer to 
deduct the amount of loss from the amount of bonus payable by him to the 
employee under this Act in respect of that accounting year only and the 
employee shall be entitled to receive the balance, if any. 
 
19. Time-limit for payment of bonus. – 2[All amounts] payable to an employee 
by way of bonus under this Act shall be paid in cash by his employer -- 

 
(a) where there is a dispute regarding payment of bonus pending before 

any authority under section 22, within a month from the date on which 
the award becomes enforceable or the settlement comes into operation, 
in respect of such dispute; 

(b) in any other case, within a period of eight months from the close of the  
accounting year: 

                                            
1
 Subs by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 12, for “sub-section (1) “ (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 

2
 subs. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 13, for “(1) subject to the provisions of this section, all amounts : 

(w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 



 14

 Provided that the appropriate Government or such authority as the 
appropriate Government may specify in this behalf may, upon an application 
made to it by the employer and for sufficient reasons, by order, extended the said 
period of eight months to such further period or periods as it thinks fit; so, 
however, that the total period so extended shall not in any case exceed two 
years. 
1[***] 
2[***] 
20.  Application of Act to establishments in public sector in certain cases.- 
3[(1)] If in any accounting year an establishment in public sector sells any goods 
produced or manufactured by it or renders any services, in competition with an 
establishment in private sector, and the income from such sale or services or 
both less than twenty percent of the gross income of the establishment in public 
sector for that year, then, the provision of this Act shall apply in relation to such 
establishment in public sector as they apply in relation to a like establishment in 
private sector. 
 
4[(2)  Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (1), nothing in this Act shall 
apply to the employees employed by any establishment in public sector] 
 
21. Recovery of bonus due from an employer.- Where any money is due to 
an employee by way of bonus from his employer under a settlement or an award 
or agreement, the employee himself or any other person authorised  by him in 
writing in this behalf, or in the case of the death of the employee, his assignee or 
heirs may, without prejudice to any other mode of recovery, make an application 
to the appropriate Government or such authority as the appropriate Government 
may specify in this behalf is satisfied that any money is so due, it shall issue a 
certificate for that amount to the Collector who shall proceed to recover the same 
in the same manner as an arrears of land revenue.  
 
 Provided that every such application shall be made within one year from the 
date on which the money became due to the employee from the employer. 
 Provided further that any such application may be entertained after the 
expiry of the said period of one year, if the appropriate Government is satisfied 
that the applicant had sufficient cause for not making the application within the 
said period.  
  
Explanation- In this section and in 

5
[sections 22,23, 24 and 25], “employee” includes a 

person who is entitled to the payment of bonus under this Act but who is no longer in 
employment. 

                                            
1
 Sub-sections (2) to (7) ins. by Act 68 of 1972, sec. 4 (w.r.e.f.  1.9.1972) and omitted by Act 23 of 

1976, sec. 13 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 
2
 Sub-section (8) ins. by Act 39 of 1973, sec. 4(w.r.e.f. 1.9.1973) and omitted by Act 55 of 1973, 

sec. 2 (w.r.e.f 1.9.1973) 
3
 The brackets and figure (1) omitted by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 14 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) and again 

section 20 re-numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 11 (w.r.e.f. 27.12.1980) 
4
 sub-section (2) omitted by Act of 1976, sec, 14(w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) and ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 

11 (w.r.e.f. 27.12.1980) 
5
 Subs. By Act 66 of 1980, sec. 12, for “sections 22,23 and 25” (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 



 15

22. Reference of disputes under the Act.- Where any dispute arises 
between an employer and his employees with respect to the bonus payable 
under this Act or with respect to the application of this Act to an establishment in 
public sector, then, such dispute shall be deemed to be an industries dispute 
within the meaning of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), or of any 
corresponding law relating to investigation and settlement of industrial disputes in 
force in a State and the provisions of that Act or, as the case may be, such law, 
shall, save as otherwise expressly provided, apply accordingly. 
 
23. Presumption about accuracy of balance-sheet and profit and loss 
account of corporation and companies.- Where, during the course of 
proceedings before any arbitrator or Tribunal under the Industrial Disputes Act, 
1947 (14 of 1947) or under any corresponding law relating to investigation and 
settlement of industrial disputes in force in a State (hereinafter in this section 
1[and in 2[sections 24 and 25] referred to as the “said authority” ) to which any 
dispute of the nature specified in section 22 has been referred, the balance-sheet 
and the profit and loss account of an employer, being a corporation or a company 
(other than a banking company), duly audited by the comptroller and Auditor-
General of India or by auditors duly qualified to Act as auditors of companies 
under sub-section (1) of section 226 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), are 
produced before it, then, the said authority may presume the statements and 
particulars contained in such balance-sheet and profit and loss account to be 
accurate and it shall not be necessary for the corporation or the company to 
prove the accuracy of such statements and particulars by the filing of an affidavit 
or by any other mode.  
 Provided that where the said authority is satisfied that the statement and 
particulars contained in the balance-sheet or the profit and loss account of the 
corporation or the company are not accurate, it may take such steps as it thinks 
necessary to find our the accuracy of such statement and particulars. 
 (2) When an application is made to the said authority by any trade union 
being a party to the dispute or where there is no trade union, by the employees 
being a party to the dispute requiring any clarification relating to any item in the 
balance-sheet or the profit and loss account it may, after satisfying itself that 
such clarification is necessary, by order, direct the corporation or, as the case 
may be, the company, to furnish to the trade union or the employees such 
clarification within such time as may be specified in the direction and the 
corporation or , as the case may be, the company, shall comply with such 
direction. 
 
3[24. Audited accounts of banking companies not to be questioned. –(1) 
Where any dispute of the nature specified in section 22 between an employer , 
being a banking company, and its employees has been referred to the said 
authority under that section and during the course of proceedings the accounts of 
the banking company duly audited and produced before it, the said authority shall 
not permit any trade union or employees to question the correctness of such 

                                            
1
 Subs. by Act 23 of 1976 , Sec. 16, for “and in sections 24 and 25” (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975). 

2
 Subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 13, for “section 25” (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 

3
 Ins. by Act 66 of 1980 , sec. 14 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 



 16

accounts , but the trade union or employees to question the correctness of such 
accounts, but the trade union or employees may be permitted to obtain from the 
banking company such information as is necessary for verifying the amount of 
bonus due under this Act. 
 (2) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall enable trade union of the 
employees to obtain any information which the banking company is not 
compelled to furnish under the provisions of section 34A of the Banking 
Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949)]. 
 
25. Audit of accounts of employers, not being corporations or companies.- 
(1) Where any dispute of the nature specified in section 22 between an employer, 
not being a corporation or a company, and his employees has been referred to 
the said authority under that section and the accounts of such employer audited 
by any auditor duly qualified to act as auditor of companies under sub-section (1) 
of section 226 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) , are produced before the 
said authority, the provisions of section 23, shall , so far as may be, apply to the 
accounts so audited.  
 
 (2) When the said authority finds that the accounts of such employer of 
such employer have not been audited by any such auditor and it is of opinion that 
an audit of the accounts of such employer is necessary for deciding the question 
referred to it, then, it may, by order direct the employer to get his accounts 
audited within such time as may be specified in the direction or within such 
further time as it may allow by such auditor or auditors as it thinks fit and 
thereupon the employer shall comply with such direction.  
 
 (3) Where an employer fails to get the accounts audited under sub-section 
(2) the said authority may, without prejudice to the provisions of section 28, get 
the accounts audited by such auditor or auditors as it thinks fit. 
 
 (4) When the accounts are audited under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) 
the provision of section 23 shall, so far as may be, apply to the accounts so 
audited. 
 
 (5) The expenses of and incidental to, any audit under sub-section (3) 
(including the remunerating of the auditor or auditors) shall be determined by the 
said authority (which determination shall be final) and paid by the employer and 
in default or such payment shall be recoverable from the employer in the manner 
provided in section 21. 
 
26.  Maintenance of register, records, etc. – Every employer shall prepare 
and maintain such registers, records and other documents in such form and in 
such manner as may prescribed. 
 
27. Inspectors. – (1) The appropriate Government may, by notification on the 
Official Gazette, appoint such person as it think fit to be Inspectors for the 
purposes of this Act and may define the limits within which they shall exercise 
jurisdiction. 



 17

 (2) An Inspector appointed under sub-section (1) may, for the purpose of 
ascertaining whether any of the provisions of this Act has been complied with -- 

(a) Require an employer to furnish such information as he may consider 
necessary; 

(b) at any reasonable time and with such assistance, if any, as he thinks fit 
enter any establishment or any premises connected therewith and 
require any one found in charge thereof to produce before him for 
examination any accounts, books, registers and other documents 
relating to the employment of persons or the payment of salary or wage 
or bonus in the establishment; 

(c) examine with respect to any matter relevant to any of the purposes 
aforesaid, the employer, his agent or servant or any other person found 
in charge of the establishment or any premises connected therewith or 
any person whom the Inspector has reasonable cause to believe to be 
or to have been an employee in the establishment; 

(d) make copies of, or take extracts from, any book, register or other 
document maintained in relation to the establishment; 

(e) exercise such other powers as may prescribed. 
 (3) Every Inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning 
of the Indian penal Code (45 of 1860). 
 
(4) Any person required to produce any accounts, book, register or other 
documents or to give information by an Inspector under sub-section (1) shall be 
legally bound to do so.  
 
1[(5) Nothing contained in this section shall enable an Inspector to require a 
banking company to furnish or disclose any statement or information or to 
produce, or give inspection of any its books of account or other documents which 
a banking company cannot be compelled to furnish, disclose, produce or give 
inspection of, under the provision of section 34A of the Banking Regulation Act, 
1949 (10 of 1949). 
 
28. Penalty.- if any person- 

(a) contravenes any of the provision of this Act or any rule made 
thereunder, or 

(b) to whom a direction is given or a requisition is made under this Act fails 
to comply with the direction or requisition, 

he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six  
months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. 
 
29. Offences by companies.-  (1) If the person committing an offence under 
this Act is a company, every person who, at the time the offence was committed, 
was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of 
business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty 
of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished 
accordingly: 

                                            
1
 Ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 15 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 



 18

 Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such 
person liable to any punishment if he proves that the offence was committed 
without his knowledge or that he exercised all; due diligence to prevent the 
commission of such offence. 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence 
under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the 
offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable 
to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of 
the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be 
deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against 
and punished accordingly. 
 
Explanation. – For the purposes of this section, -- 

(a) “company” means any body corporate and includes a firm or other 
association of individuals; and  

(b) “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm. 
 
30. Cognizance of offences. – (1) No court shall take cognizance of any 
offence punishable under this Act, save on complaint made by or under the 
authority of the appropriate Government 1[or an officer of that Government (not 
below the rank of a Regional Labour Commissioner in the case of an officer of 
the Central Government, and not below the rank of a Labour Commissioner in 
the case of an officer of the State Government) specially authorised in this behalf 
by that Government]. 
(2) No court inferior to that of a presidency magistrate or a magistrate of the 
first class shall try any offence punishable under this Act. 
 
31. Protection of action taken under the Act. – No suit, prosecution or other 
legal proceeding shall lie against the Government or any officer of the 
Government for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in 
pursuance of this Act or any rule made thereunder. 
 
2[31A. Special provision with respect to payment of bonus linked with 
production or productivity. – Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act,-- 

(i) where an agreement or a settlement has been entered into by the 
employees with their employer before the commencement of the 
Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1976 (23 of 1976), or  

(ii) where the employees enter into any agreement or settlement with their 
employer after such commencement, for payment of an annual bonus 
linked with production or productivity in lieu of bonus based on profits 
payable under this Act, then, such employees shall be entitled to 
receive bonus due to them under such agreement or settlement, as the 
case may be: 

 

                                            
1
 Ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 16 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 

2
 Ins. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 19 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 

 



 19

 1[Provided that any such agreement or settlement whereby the employees 
relinquish their right to receive the minimum bonus under section 10 shall be null 
and void in so far as it purports to deprive them of such right:] 
 
 2[Provided further that] such employees shall not be entitled to be paid such 
bonus in excess of twenty per cent. of the salary or wage earned by them during 
the relevant accounting year. 
 
32. Act not to apply to certain classes of employees. – Nothing in this Act 
shall apply to -- 

(i) 3[***] employees employed by any insurer carrying on general insurance 
business and the employees employed by the Life Insurance 
Corporation of India; 

(ii) seamen as defined in clause (42) of section 3 of the Merchant Shipping 
Act, 1958 ( 44 of 1958); 

(iii) employees registered or listed under any scheme made under the Dock 
Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1948 (9 of 1948), and 
employed by registered or listed employers; 

(iv) employees employed by an establishment engaged in any industry 
carried on by or under the authority of any department of the Central 
Government or a State Government or a Local authority; 

(v) employees employed by -- 
(a)  the Indian Red Cross Society or any other institution of a like nature 

(including its branches); 
(b) universities and other educational institutions; 
(c) institutions (including hospitals, chambers of commerce and social 

welfare institutions) established not for purposes of profit; 
(vi) employees employed through contractor on building operations; 
 4[***] 
(viii) employees employed by the Reserve Bank of India; 
(ix) employees employed by -- 

(a)  the Industrial Finance Corporation of India; 
(b) any Financial Corporation established under section 3, or any Joint 

Financial Corporation established under section 3A, of the State 
Financial Corporations Act, 1951 (63 of 1951); 

(c) the Deposit Insurance Corporation; 
5[(d)the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development;] 
(e) the Unit Trust of India; 
(f) the Industrial Development Bank of India; 

 
 
 

                                            
1
 Ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 17 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 

2
 Subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 17, for “Provided that” (w.r.e.f. 21.8.19800 

3
 the words “employees employed by any insurer carrying on general insurance business and the” 

omitted by Act 62 of 1968, sec. 41.  
4
 Clause (vii) omitted by Act 66 of 1980, sec, 18 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1982) 

5
 Subs. by Act of 1981, sec. 61 and Sch.II, for sub-clause (d) (w.r.e.f. 12.7.1982) 



 20

1[(fa) the Small Industries Development Bank of India established under 
section 3 of the Small Industries Development Bank of India Act, 
1989;] 

2[(ff)the National Housing Bank;] 
(g) any other financial institution 3[(other than a banking company)], 

being an establishment in public sector, which the Central 
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, 
having regard to --  

(i)  its capital structure; 
(ii) its objectives and the nature of its activities; 
(iii) the nature and extent of financial assistance or any concession 

given to it by the Government; and  
(iv) any other relevant factor; 

4[***] 
(xi) employees employed by inland water transport establishment operating 

on routes passing through any other country. 
 

33. Act to apply to certain pending disputes regarding payment of bonus.- 
[Rep. By the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 1976 (23 of 1976), sec. 21 
(w.r.e.f. 25-9-1975).] 
 
5[34. Effect of laws and agreements inconsistent with the Act. – Subject to 
the provisions of section 31A, the provisions of this Act shall have effect 
notwithstanding anything inconsistent contained in any other law for the time 
being in force or in the terms of any award, agreement, settlement or contract of 
service.] 
 
35. Saving. – Nothing, contained in this Act shall be deemed to affect the 
provisions of the Coal Mines, Provident Fund and Bonus Schemes Act, 1948 (48 
for 1948), or of any scheme made thereunder. 
 
36 Power of exemption. – If the appropriate Government, having regard to the 
financial position and other relevant circumstances of any establishment  or class 
of establishment, is of opinion that it will not be in public interest to apply all or 
any of the provisions of this Act thereto, it may, by notification in the Official 
Gazette, exempt for such period as maybe specified therein and subject to such 
conditions as it may think fit to impose, such establishment or class of 
establishment from all or any of the provisions of this Act. 
 
37.  Power to remove difficulties. – [Rep. by the Payment of Bonus 
(Amendment) Act, 1976 (23 of 1976), sec. 23 (w.r.e.f. 25-9-1975).] 
 

                                            
1
 Ins. by Act 39 of 19879, sec. 53 and Sch.II. 

2
 Omitted by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 18 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) and ins. by Act 53 of 1987, sec. 56 and 

Sch. II (w.e..f 9.7.1988). 
3
 Ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 18 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 

4
 Clause (x) omitted by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 20 (w.r.e.f 25.9.1975) 

5
 Subs. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 22, for section 34 (w.r.e.f. 25.9.1975) 



 21

38. Power to make rules. – (1) The Central Government may make rule for the 
purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. 
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, 
such rules may provide for -- 

(a) the authority for granting permission under the proviso to sub-clause (iii) 
of clause (1) of section 2; 

(b) the preparation of registers, records and other documents and the form 
and manner in which such registers, records and documents may be 
maintained under section 26; 

(c) the powers which may be exercised by an inspector under clause (e) of 
sub-section (2) of section 27; 

(d) any other matter which is to be, or maybe prescribed. 
(3) Every rule made under this section shall be laid as soon as may be after it is 
made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of 
thirty days, which may be comprised in one session [or in two or more 
successive sessions], and if before the expiry of the session [immediately 
following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid], both Houses agree 
in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should 
not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be 
of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or 
annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done 
under that rule. 
39. Application of certain law not barred. –Save as otherwise expressly 
provided, the provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of 
the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), or any corresponding law relating 
to investigation and settlement of industrial disputes in force in a State. 
40. Repeal and saving. – (1) The Payment of Bonus Ordinance, 1965 (3 of 
1965), is hereby repealed. 
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the 
said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under this Act as if 
this Act had commenced on the 29th May, 1965. 

 
[THE FIRST SCHEDULE 

[See section 4(a)] 
COMPUTATION OF GROSS PROFITS 

Accounting year ending…………….. 
Item 
No. 

Particulars Amount of 
sub-items 

Amount of 
main items 

Remarks 

*1 
 
 
 

2. 

Net Profit show in the Profit and Loss Account 
after making usual and necessary provisions. 
 
Add back provision for: 

(a) Bonus to employees. 
(b) Depreciation 
(c) Development Rebate Reserve. 
(d) Any other reserves. 

 
      Total of Item No. 2   
 

Rs. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rs.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

See foot-note (1) 
 
 
See foot-note (1) Rs. 

 
 



 22

 
Item 
No. 

Particulars Amount of 
sub-items 

Amount of 
main items 

Remarks 

3. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

4.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5.  
 

6. 

Add back also: 
(a) Bonus paid to employees in respect of 
previous accounting years. 
(b) The amount debited in respect of gratuity 
paid or payable to employees in excess of the 
aggregate of – 
    (i) the amount , if any, paid to, or provided 
for payment to, an approved gratuity fund;  and  
(ii) the amount actually paid to employees on 
their retirement or on termination of their 
employment for any reason. 
 (c) Donations in excess of the amount 
admissible for income- tax.     
(d)     Capital expenditure (other than capital 
expenditure on scientific research which is 
allowed as a deduction under any law for the 
time being in force relating to direct taxes) 
and capital losses (other than losses on sale 
of capital assets on which depreciation has 
been allowed for income-tax). 
 
(e) Any amount certified by the Reserve 
Bank of India in terms of sub-section (2) of 
section 34A of the Banking Regulation Act, 
1949 (10 of 1949) 
 
(f) Loses of, or expenditure relating to, any 
business situated outside India 
 
            Total of Item No. 3 
Add also income, profits or gains(if any) 
credited directly to published or disclosed 
reserves, other than— 
(i) capital receipts and capital profits 
(including profits on the sale of capital assets 
on which depreciation has not been allowed 
for income-tax); 
(ii) profits of, and receipts relating to, any 
business situated outside India; 
(iii) income of foreign banking companies 
from investment outside India. 
   Net Total of Item No. 4…… 
 
Total of Item Nos. 1,2.3 and 4  
 
Deduct: 

(a) Capital receipts and capital profits 
(other than profits on the sale of 
assets on which depreciation has 
been allowed for income-tax 

(b) Profits of, and receipts relating to, 
any business situated outside India. 

(c) Income of foreign banking 
companies from investments outside 
India 

Rs. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Rs.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rs. 

 

Rs.  

Rs.  
See foot-note (1) 
 
 
See foot-note (1) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See foot-note (1) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See foot-note (1) 
 
 
See foot-note (1) 
 
 
See foot-note (1) 



 23

 
 

Item 
No. 

Particulars Amount of 
sub-items 

Amount of 
main items

Remarks 

 (d) Expenditure or losses (if any debited 
directly to published or disclosed reserves, 
other than- 

(i)    capital expenditure and capital losses 
(other than losses on sale of capital 
assets on which depreciation has not 
been allowed for income-tax.) 

(ii) Losses of any business situated   
outside India. 

(e) In the case of foreign banking companies 
proportionate administrative (overhead) 
expenses of head Office allocable o Indian 
business. 
(f) Refund of any excess direct tax paid for 
previous accounting years and excess 
provision, if any, of previous accounting years, 
relating to bonus, depreciation, or 
development rebate, if written back. 
(g) Cash subsidy, if any, given by the 
Government or by any body corporate 
established by any law for the time being in 
force or by any other agency through 
budgetary grants, whether given directly or 
though any agency for specified purposes and 
the proceeds of which are reserved for such 
purposes. 
        Total of Item No. 6…… 
7. Gross Profits for purposes of bonus 
(Item No. 5 minus Item No. 6)  
 

Rs. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rs.  
----------------- 

Rs. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

--------------- 
Rs.  
---------------- 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See foot-note (1) 
 
 
 
 

See foot-note (1) 
 
 
 
 

See foot-note (1) 
 

Explanation- In sub-item (b) of item 3, ‘approved gratuity fund’ has the same meaning assigned to 
it in clause (5) of section 2 of the Income-Tax Act. 
 
Foot-Note: (1) If, and to the extent charged to Profit and Loss Account.  
(2) If, and to the extend, credited to Profit and Loss Account. 
(3) In the proportion of India Gross Profit (Item No.7) to Total World Gross Profit (as per 
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account adjusted as in Item No. 2 above Only). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 24

1
[THE SECOND SCHEDULE] 

2
[See section 4(a)] 

COMPUTATION OF GROSS PROFITS 

Accounting year ending…………….. 
Item 
No. 

Particulars Amount of 
sub-items 

Amount of 
main items 

Remarks 

1. 
 

2. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Net Profit as per Profit and Loss Account. 
 
Add back provision for: 

(a) Bonus to employees. 
(b) Depreciation 
(c) Direct taxes, including the provision 

(if any) for previous accounting 
years. 

3
[(d)Development Rebate/Investment 

allowance/Development Allowance 
reserve. 
(d) Any other reserves. 

      Total of Item No. 2   
Add back also: 
(a) Bonus paid to employees in respect of 
previous accounting years. 
4
[(aa)The amount debited in respect of gratuity 

paid or payable to employees in excess of the 
aggregate of – 
    (i) the amount , if any, paid to, or provided 
for payment to, an approved gratuity fund;  and  
     (ii) the amount actually paid to employees 
on their retirement or on termination of their 
employment for any reason]. 
(b) Donations in excess of the amount 
admissible for income- tax.     
(c)     Any annuity due, or commuted value of 
any annuity paid, under the provisions of 
section 280D of the Income-tax during the 
accounting year. 
(d)   Capital expenditure (other than capital 
expenditure on scientific research which is 
allowed as a deduction under any law for the 
time being in force relating to direct taxes) 
and capital losses (other than losses on sale 
of capital assets on which depreciation has 
been allowed for income-tax). 
 
(e) Losses of, or expenditure relating to, any 
business situated outside India. 
                Total of Item No. 3  
 
 

Rs. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

----------------- 
Rs 
----------------- 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Rs.  

 
 

Rs. 
  

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
See foot-note (1) 
 
See foot-note (1) 
 
 
 
See foot-note (1) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See foot-note (1) 
 

                                            
1
 For the heading “THE SECOND SCHEDULE”, the heading ‘THE FIRST SCHEDULE” subs. by Act 

23 of 1976, sec. 26 ( w.r.e.f 25.9.1976) and again the First Schedule renumbered as the Second 
Schedule by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 19 (w.r.e.f 21.8.1980) 
2
 For the sub-heading “[see Section 4(b)]”, the sub-heading “(See section 4)” subs by Act 23 of 

1976, sec. 261 (w.r.e.f.25.9.1976) and again subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 19 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980). 
3
 Subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 19, for entry (d) (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980). 

4
 Ins. by Act 23 pf 1976, sec. 26 (w.e.r.f 25.9.1975) 



 25

Item 
No.  

Particulars Amount of 
sub-items 

Amount of 
main items 

Remarks 
 

4.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5.  
 

6. 

Add also income, profits or gains(if any) 
credited directly to published or disclosed 
reserves, other than— 
(i) capital receipts and capital profits 
(including profits on the sale of capital assets 
on which depreciation has not been allowed 
for income-tax or agricultural Income-Tax); 
(ii) profits of, and receipts relating to, any 
business situated outside India; 
(iii) income of foreign concerns from 
investment outside India. 
   Net Total of Item No. 4…… 
 
Total of Item Nos. 1,2.3 and 4  
 
Deduct: 
(a) Capital receipts and capital profits (other 

than profits on the sale of assets on 
which depreciation has been allowed for 
income-tax or agricultural income-tax) 

(b) Profits of, and receipts relating to, any 
business situated outside India. 

(c) Income of foreign concerns from 
investments outside India 

(d) Expenditure or losses (if any debited 
directly to published or disclosed reserves, 
other than- 
(i)  capital expenditure and capital losses 

(other than losses on sale of capital assets 
on which depreciation has not been 
allowed for income-tax.) 

(ii) Losses of any business situated   outside 
India. 
(e) In the case of foreign banking companies 
proportionate administrative (overhead) 
expenses of head Office allocable to Indian 
business. 
(f) Refund of any direct tax paid for previous 
accounting years and excess provision, if any, 
of previous accounting years, relating to 
bonus, depreciation, taxation or development 
rebate or development allowance, if written 
back. 
1
[(g) Cash subsidy, if any, given by the 

Government or by any body corporate 
established by any law for the time being in 
force or by any other agency through 
budgetary grants, whether given directly or 
though any agency for specified purposes and 
the proceeds of which are reserved for such 
purposes]. 
(j)         Total of Item No. 6…… 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rs. 

Rs 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rs. 
----------------- 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See foot-note (2) 
 
 
 
See foot-note (2) 
 
 
See foot-note (2) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See foot-note (3) 
 
 
 
 
 
See foot-note (2) 

 

                                            
1
 Subs. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 26, for sub-item (g) (w.e.r.f 225.9.1975). 



 26

 
Item 
No. 

Particulars Amount of 
sub-items 

Amount of 
main items

Remarks 

7.  Gross Profits for purposes of bonus 
(Item No. 5 minus Item No. 6)  
 
 

----------------- 
Rs. 

----------------- 
 
 

 . 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

2
[Explanation- In sub-item (aa) of item 3, ‘approved gratuity fund’ has the same meaning 

assigned to it in clause (5) of section 2 of the Income-Tax Act.] 
 
Foot-Notes: (1) If, and to the extent charged to Profit and Loss Account. 
(2) If, and to the extend, credited to Profit and Loss Account. 
(3) In the proportion of India Gross Profit (Item No.7) to Total World Gross Profit (as per 
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account adjusted as in Item No. 2 above only). 
 
 
 

 
 
 

3
[THE THRID SCHEDULE 

[ See section 6(d)] 
 

tem No.  Category of employer Further sums to be deducted 

(1) (2) (3) 

1. 4
[Company, other than 

a banking company] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(i) The dividends payable on its preference share capital 
for the accounting year calculated at the actual rate at 
which such dividends are payable; 

(ii) 8.5 per cent of its paid up equity share capital as at the 
commencement of the accounting year; 

(iii) 6 per cent of its reserves shown in its balance-sheet as 
at the commencement of the accounting year, including 
any profits carried forward from the previous accounting 
year. 
        Provided that where the employer is a foreign 
company within the meaning of section 591 of the 
Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), the total amount to 
be deducted under this Item shall be 8.5 per cent  on 
the aggregate of the value of the net fixed assets and 
the current assets of their company in India after 
deducting the amount of its current liabilities (other than  
any amount shown as payable by the company to its 
Head Office whether towards any advance made by the 
Head Office or otherwise or any interest paid by the 
company to its Head Office) in India. 

 

 
 

                                            
2
 Ins. by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 26. (w.r.e.f 25.9.1976) 

3
 For the heading “ THE THIRD SCHEDULE” THE HEADING “ THE SECOND SCHEDULE” subs. 

by Act 23 of 1976, sec. 27 (w.r.e.f. 12.8.1980) 
4
 Subs by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 20, for “ Company” (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 



 27

 

1 2 3 
1
[2 Banking company (i) The dividends payable on its preference share capital 

for the accounting year calculated at the rate at which 
such dividends are payable; 

(ii) 7.5 per cent of its paid up equity share capital as at the 
commencement of the accounting year; 

(iii) 5 per cent of its reserves shown in its balance-sheet 
as at the commencement of the accounting year, 
including any profits carried forward from the previous 
accounting year. 

(iv) any sum which in respect of the accounting year, is 
transferred by it- 
(a) to a reserve fund under sub-section (1) of section 

17 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 
1949); or  

(b) to any reserves in India in pursuance of any 
direction or advise given by the Reserve bank of 
India. 

     Whichever is higher: 
      Provided that where the banking company is a foreign 
company within the meaning of section 591 of the 
Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), the amount to be 
deducted under this Item shall be aggregate of- 

(i) the dividends payable on its preference shareholders   
for the accounting year at the rate at which such 
dividends are payable on such amount as bears the 
same proportion to its total preference share capital as 
its total working funds in India bear to its total world 
working funds. ; 

(ii) 7.5 per cent of such amount as bears the same 
proportion to its total paid up equity share capital as its 
total working funds in India bear to its total working 
funds in India bear to its total world working funds; 

(iii) 5 per cent of such amount as bears the same 
proportion to its total disclosed reserves as its total 
working funds in India bear to its total world working 
funds;  

(iv) any sum which, in respect of the accounting year, is 
deposited by it with the Reserve Bank of India under 
sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 
11 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949), 
not exceeding the amount required under the aforesaid 
provision to be so deposited.] 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                                            
1
 Ins. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 20 (w.r.e.f 231.8.1980) 

 
 
 



 28

 

1 2 3 
 
3. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4. 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 5. 

 Corporation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Co-operative society 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Any other employer not 
falling under any of the 
aforesaid categories. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(i)  8.5 percent, of its paid up capital as at the 
commencement of the accounting year. 
 
(ii)     6 per cent, of its reserves, if any, shown in its balance 
sheet as at the commencement of the accounting, year 
including any profits carried forward from the previous 
accounting year. 
(i)      8.5 per cent, of the capital invested by such society in 
its establishment as evidenced from its books of accounts 
at the commencement of the accounting year; 
 
(ii)    such sum as has been carried forward in respect of 
the accounting year to a reserve fund under any law 
relating to co-operative societies for the time being in force. 
          8.5 per cent, of the capital invested by him in his 
establishment as evidence from his books of accounts at 
the commencement of the accounting year. 
 
         Provided that where such employer is a person to 
whom Chapter XXIIA of the Income-tax Act applies, the 
annuity deposit payable by him under the provisions of that 
Chapter during the accounting year shall also be deducted. 
 
          Provided further that where such employer is a firm, 
an amount equal to 25 per cent, of the gross profits derived 
by it from the establishment in respect of the accounting 
year after deducting depreciation in accordance with the 
provision of clause (a) of section 6 by way of remuneration 
to all the partners taking part in the conduct of business of 
the establishment shall also be deducted, but where the 
partnership agreement, whether oral or written, provides for 
the payment of remuneration to any such partner, and – 

(i) the total remuneration payable to all such 
partners is less than the said 25 per cent the 
amount payable, subject to a maximum of 
forty-eight thousand rupees to each such 
partner; or  

(ii) the total remuneration payable to all such 
partners is higher than the said 25 per cent 
such percentage, or a sum calculated at the 
rate of forty-eight thousand rupees to each 
such partner, whichever is less, shall be 
deducted under this proviso; 

       Provided also that where such employer is an 
individual or a Hindu undivided family- 

(i) an amount equal to 25 percent of the gross 
profits derived by such employer from the 
establishment in respect of the accounting year 
after deducting depreciation in accordance with 
the provisions of clause (a) of section 6; or 

(ii) forty-eight thousand rupees; whichever is less, 
by way of remuneration to such employer, shall 
also be deducted. 

 

 
 



 29

 

(1) (2) (3) 

6. Any employer failing 
under Item No. 1 or Item 
No. 3 or Item No. 4 or 
Item No. 5 and being a 
license within the 
meaning of the 
Electricity (Supply) Act, 
1948 (54 of 1948) 

In addition to the sums deductible under any of the 
aforesaid Items, such sums as are required to be 
appropriate by the license in respect of the accounting year 
to a reserve under the Sixth Schedule to that Act shall also 
be deducted. 

Explanation: The expression ‘reserves” occurring in column (3) against item Nos.
1
 [1(iii), 2(iii) and 

3(ii)] shall not include any amount set apart for the purpose of- 
(i)          Payment of any direct tax which, according to the balance –sheet, would be payable; 
(ii) meeting any depreciation admissible in accordance with the provisions of clause(a) of 

section 6; 
(iii) payment of dividends which have been declared.; but shall include- 

(a) any amount, over and above the amount referred to in clause(i) of this 
Explanation. 

(b) any amount set apart for meeting any depreciation in excess of the amount 
admissible in accordance with the provisions of clause (a) of section 6. 

 
 
 

2
[THE FOURTH SCHEDULE 

(See section 15 and 16) 
 
 

 In the Schedule, the total amount of bonus equal to 8.33 per cent of the annual salary or 

wage payable to all the employees is assumed to be Rs. 1,04,167. Accordingly, the maximum 

bonus to which all the employees are entitled to the paid (twenty per cent of the annual salary or 

wage of all the employees) would be Rs. 2,50,000.   

                                            
1
 Subs. by Act 66 of 1980, sec. 20, for “ 1(iii) and 3(ii)” (w.r.e.f 21.8.1980) 

2
 “THE FOURTH SCHEDULE “ was subs. by “THE THIRD SCHEDULE” BY Act 23 of 1976, sec. 23 

(w.r.e.f. 25.9.1976) and THE THIRD SCHEDULE so substituted was again subs. by Act 66 of 1980, 
sec. 21 (w.r.e.f. 21.8.1980) 
 
 
 
 



 30

  

Year Amount equal to sixty per 
cent, or sixty seven per 
cent, as the case may be, 
or available surplus 
allocable as bonus  

Amount payable as 
bonus 

Set on or set off 
of the year 
carried forward 

Total set on or 
set off Carried 
forward 

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 

 Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.  of       (year ) 

1. 1,04,167 1.04,167** Nil NIl 

2. 6.35,000 2,50,000* Set on 
2,50,000* 

Set  on             
2,50,000*       (2) 

3. 2,20,000 2,50,000*  
(inclusive of 30,000 
from year –2) 

Nil Set  on           (2) 
2,20,000 

4. 3,75,000 2,50,000* Set on 
1,25,000* 

Set  on            
2,20,000         (2) 
1,25,000         (4) 

5. 1,40,000 2,50,000* 
(inclusive of 1,10,000 
from year-2) 

Nil Set  on            (2) 
1,10,000 
1,25,000         (4) 

6. 3,10,000 2,50,000* Set on 60,000 Set on  
Nil+                 (2) 
1,25,00           (4) 
  60,000          (6) 

7. 1,00,000 2,50,000* 
(inclusive of 
1,25,000 from year–
4 and 25,000 from 
year-6) 

Nil Set on 

35,000            (6) 

8. Nil (due to loss) 1,04,167** 
(inclusive of 35,000 
from year -6) 

Set off 69,167 Set off  

69,167            (8) 

9. 10,000 1,04,167** Set off 94,167 Set off  
69,167            (8) 
94,167            (9) 

10. 2,15,000 1,04,167** 
(after setting of 69,167 
from year-8 and 
41,666 from year-9) 

Nil Set off  

52,501            (9) 

 

 

Notes- 

* Maximum. 

+ The balance of Rs. 1,10,000 set on from year-2 lapses. 

** Minimum