Reimbursement of 7th CPC Briefcase Allowance for Central Govt Staff 2025
Updated Briefcase Allowance for Central Government Officials – May 2025
Notice from the Department of Expenditure, dated May 1, 2025, announces new reimbursement guidelines for briefcases, office bags, and ladies’ purses. Central Government officials are eligible to claim reimbursement for these items once every three years from the date they last received reimbursement. The relevant authority has adjusted the reimbursement limits for these purchases. Below are the details comparing the previous limits with the newly established caps for officials within the Department of Expenditure:
| Level of officers | Rates limit | Period | |
| Existing Ceiling | Revised Ceiling + GST | ||
| Secretary/ Special Secretary (Level 17) | 10000 | 12500 | Once in 3 years |
| Addl. Secretary or equivalent (Level 15-16) | 8000 | 10000 | Once in 3 years |
| Joint Secretary or equivalent (Level 14) | 6500 | 8125 | Once in 3 years |
| Director/ Dy. Secy./ Sr. PPS (Level-13) | 5000 | 6250 | Once in 3 years |
| Under Secretary/PPS or equivalent | 4000 | 5000 | Once in 3 years |
| Section Officer/PS (Level 8-10) | 4000 | 5000 | Once in 3 years |
| Assistant Section Officer/PA (Level 7) | 3500 | 4375 | Once in 3 years |
Purchase and Reimbursement of Briefcase Allowance 2025: The Briefcase Allowance 2025 program is an exclusive benefit designated for senior officers within the Central Government. Eligible officers can avail themselves of this privilege every three years to acquire official bags and purses for their professional needs. This initiative functions on a reimbursement model, allowing officers to purchase the designated items from a variety of retailers. Upon submission of the original receipts, officers will receive reimbursement in accordance with their respective grade or salary level.
Purchase and Reimbursement Rates for Briefcase Allowance 2025
The Department has recently issued a comprehensive directive outlining the guidelines for the Purchase and Reimbursement of Allowance for Briefcases in the fiscal year 2025. This directive contains detailed information on the eligibility criteria for that officers and staff in each Department. The rates for the purchasing entitlement have been carefully determined based on the pay matrix level of the individuals.
It should be noted that while officers are given the freedom to purchase an eligible product of their choice at their preferred price and from a designated showroom, the reimbursement rate is fixed. Officers can only receive reimbursement upon successful submission of the claim within the specified timeframe.
Briefcase Allowance Rates for Govt Officials 2025
The updated rates for briefcase allowances in 2025 have been revised for government officials at various levels.
At Apex Level 17, including Secretaries, Special Secretaries, or equivalents, the allowance is set at Rs. 10,000. Officials at HAG and HAG+ Levels 15 & 16 are eligible for Rs. 8,000.
Junior Secretaries and Equivalents at GP 10000 Level 14 can claim Rs. 6,500 for briefcase expenses.
Directors and Equivalents at GP 7600 to 8700 Levels 12 & 13 receive an allowance of Rs. 5,000.
Deputy Secretaries, Senior Private Secretaries, or Equivalents at GP 4800 to 6600 are entitled to a briefcase allowance, while Under Secretaries, Private Secretaries & Equivalents, or Section Officers/Personal Secretaries & Equivalents at Level 8 to 11 can claim Rs. 4,000.
Assistant Section Officers, Personal Assistants (GP. Rs.4,600/-) & Equivalents at GP 4200 to 4600 Level 6 to 7 are allocated Rs. 3,500 for their briefcase expenses.
It should be noted that the maximum allowance limits mentioned above will increase by 25% whenever the Dearness Allowance (DA) rises by 50%.