An important question has now come to the fore regarding overtime allowance (OTA) among central government employees. The new Code of Wages 2019 has a rule to pay overtime at a minimum of double the normal wage rate for working more than the normal working hours. In such a situation, if any employee has a question in his mind, can now a central employee also ask for double the amount of his overtime allowance for working more than the regular duty hours? The government has clarified the position on this matter in Parliament.
On 5 August 2026, the central government was asked in the Lok Sabha whether there has been any change in the overtime allowance of central employees after the implementation of the Code of Wages? The government clarified the position and said that the overtime allowance of central employees has not been doubled or there has been no change in the existing rules. The overtime rules for central government employees remain unchanged. Overtime allowance is determined on the basis of the Office Memorandum issued on March 19, 1991 and the recommendations of the respective Pay Commissions. No separate government order has been issued regarding double overtime.
The government has clarified in Parliament that the benefits of Section 14 of the Wages Code are not automatically applicable to Central Government employees. The double pay provision of the Wages Code cannot be brought into the Government service until the Central Government issues a separate policy decision or amending order for its employees. Non-gazetted employees will get overtime allowance at the same rate as before. In some cases, the option of compensatory leave for additional work will also be available. However, when asked in the Lok Sabha whether gazetted officers will also be covered by this allowance, the government clarified that there is no new proposal or decision. This means that gazetted officers are not yet entitled to this allowance.
