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Gratuity Calculator India 2025

Payment of Gratuity Act 1972  ·  Private & Government employees  ·  Tax-free limit ₹20 lakh

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Basic + DA salary, years of service, and employee type

Can be decimal (e.g. 10.5)

Gratuity Formulas — Quick Reference

Covered (Gratuity Act 1972):
Gratuity = (Basic+DA ÷ 26) × 15 × Years
Divisor 26 = working days/month
Not Covered (private arrangement):
Gratuity = (Basic+DA ÷ 30) × 15 × Years
Divisor 30 = calendar days/month

Years rounded: ≥7 months in partial year → round up  |  Tax-free limit: ₹20,00,000 (private, 2023)  |  Govt employees: fully tax-free  |  CTC provision rate: 4.81% of Basic+DA

Worked Examples

Junior Employee — 5 Years

Basic+DA ₹30,000/mo, 5 yrs service, covered under Act

Salary per day = 30,000 ÷ 26
= ₹1,153.85
Gratuity = 1,153.85 × 15 × 5
= ₹86,538

Fully tax-free (below ₹20L limit)

Mid-Level — 10 Years

Basic+DA ₹70,000/mo, 10 yrs service, covered under Act

Salary per day = 70,000 ÷ 26
= ₹2,692.31
Gratuity = 2,692.31 × 15 × 10
= ₹4,03,846

Fully tax-free (below ₹20L limit)

Senior — 20 Years

Basic+DA ₹1,50,000/mo, 20 yrs service, covered under Act

Salary per day = 1,50,000 ÷ 26
= ₹5,769.23
Gratuity = 5,769.23 × 15 × 20
= ₹17,30,769

Fully tax-free (below ₹20L limit)

Understanding Gratuity in India

Gratuity is one of the most significant post-employment benefits for Indian workers. It is a statutory payment made by employers to employees as recognition of their long-term loyalty and service. Governed primarily by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the benefit applies to establishments with 10 or more employees and kicks in after an employee completes a minimum qualifying period of service.

What is the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972?

The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is a central legislation that mandates the payment of gratuity to employees upon retirement, resignation, superannuation, death, or disablement. The Act covers factories, mines, oilfields, plantations, ports, railway companies, shops, and other establishments. Once an establishment comes under the Act, it continues to be governed by it even if the number of employees later falls below 10.

The Gratuity Formula Explained

The calculation methodology differs based on whether the employee falls under the Gratuity Act or not:

  • Covered employees (Act applies): The divisor is 26, representing the number of working days in a month. The formula is: Gratuity = (Last drawn Basic + DA) ÷ 26 × 15 × Rounded years of service.
  • Non-covered employees: The divisor is 30, representing the number of calendar days in a month. The formula is: Gratuity = (Last drawn Basic + DA) ÷ 30 × 15 × Years of service.

The factor of 15 represents 15 days of salary for every completed year of service — the statutory entitlement under the Act.

How Years of Service are Rounded

A key nuance in gratuity calculation is how fractional years of service are handled. If the excess months in the last year of service are 7 or more, the year is rounded up to the next full year. If fewer than 7 months, the fraction is ignored. For example:

  • 5 years 8 months → treated as 6 years
  • 5 years 3 months → treated as 5 years
  • 10 years 6 months 15 days → treated as 11 years (since the 6+ months with days tips it over)

Tax Treatment of Gratuity — Section 10(10)

Gratuity received by employees is governed by Section 10(10) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The tax treatment varies by employee category:

Employee Category Tax-Free Limit Remarks
Government employeesUnlimited (fully exempt)Section 10(10)(i)
Covered private employees₹20,00,000 (2023 revision)Least of: actual, formula amount, ₹20L
Non-covered private employees₹20,00,000Formula-based calculation applies

Minimum Qualifying Service

Under the Payment of Gratuity Act, an employee must complete 5 years of continuous service to be eligible for gratuity. However, the Supreme Court of India has clarified that completing 4 years and 240 days in the fifth year satisfies the 5-year requirement. The 240 days rule is derived from the definition of "continuous service" under Section 2A of the Act.

There is no minimum service requirement in cases of death or permanent disability — gratuity is payable from the first day of employment in such situations.

Gratuity Provision in CTC

Many employers include gratuity as a component within the employee's Cost to Company (CTC). The standard provisioning rate is approximately 4.81% of Basic + DA per year. This is derived from the gratuity formula: (15/26) × (1/12) ≈ 4.81%. So if your monthly Basic + DA is ₹50,000, the employer provisions roughly ₹2,405 per month or ₹28,860 per year toward your future gratuity entitlement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is gratuity and who is eligible?
Gratuity is a lump-sum payment made by an employer to an employee as a token of appreciation for their services. Under the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972, an employee is eligible after completing 5 years of continuous service in an organisation with 10 or more employees. In cases of death or permanent disability, gratuity is payable regardless of the length of service — even from day one.
What is the formula for calculating gratuity in India?
For covered employees (under the Payment of Gratuity Act): Gratuity = (Last drawn Basic + DA) ÷ 26 × 15 × Rounded years of service. For non-covered employees: Gratuity = (Last drawn Basic + DA) ÷ 30 × 15 × Years of service. Years of service are rounded — if the remaining months are 7 or more, the year counts as a full year.
What is the tax-free gratuity limit in India?
As of 2023, the tax-free gratuity limit for private sector employees is ₹20,00,000 (₹20 lakh) under Section 10(10) of the Income Tax Act. Any gratuity received above this limit is added to taxable income and taxed at the applicable income slab rate. Government employees enjoy fully tax-free gratuity with no upper limit.
How are years of service rounded for gratuity calculation?
For the purpose of gratuity calculation, the fraction of a year is rounded to the nearest half-year. Specifically, if the remaining months after counting full years are 7 or more, the year rounds up to the next full year. For example, 5 years and 8 months is treated as 6 years; 5 years and 3 months is treated as 5 years. This rounding rule applies only to covered employees under the Act.
Can I receive gratuity if I resign before 5 years?
Generally, no — 5 years of continuous service is the minimum requirement for gratuity eligibility under the Act. However, there are two key exceptions: (1) Death or permanent disability — gratuity is payable from day one of employment. (2) The Supreme Court has held that completing 4 years and 240 days in the fifth year qualifies as completing 5 years for this purpose. Always check with your HR department about your specific situation.
What is the maximum gratuity amount payable?
The Payment of Gratuity Act does not prescribe a statutory maximum payable amount. Employers can pay any amount they choose. However, the tax-free limit under Section 10(10) is ₹20 lakh (revised 2023). Any amount above ₹20 lakh becomes taxable income for the employee. Some employers choose to pay gratuity amounts higher than the statutory minimum as part of their retention policy.
What is the difference between covered and non-covered employees for gratuity?
Employees covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act work in establishments with 10 or more employees. Their gratuity uses a divisor of 26 (working days in a month). Non-covered employees work in smaller establishments or under separate arrangements and use a divisor of 30 (calendar days). The 26-divisor formula generally produces a slightly higher gratuity amount for covered employees.
How does the employer provision for gratuity in CTC?
Many employers include a gratuity provision in CTC at approximately 4.81% of Basic + DA per year. This is derived from: (15/26) × (1/12) ≈ 4.81%. For example, if your Basic + DA is ₹50,000/month, the employer sets aside ₹2,405/month (₹28,860/year) toward your gratuity. Over 10 years, this provision accumulates to ₹2,88,600 — though the actual gratuity payable is based on your last drawn salary, not the total provisions.