Diwali bonus for house staff: how much to give
Common practice in Indian homes for your maid, cook, driver, nanny, watchman and everyone else who keeps the house running. These are typical figures, not rules: adjust for years of service and what you can afford.
| Who | Typical Diwali bonus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time maid / house help | One month's salary | Often plus sweets or a new set of clothes |
| Cook | One month's salary | Long-serving cooks often get a little more |
| Driver | One month's salary | Full-time drivers; part-time pro rata |
| Part-time help (one task, daily) | Half to one month's pay for that task | e.g. jhadu-pocha only, car cleaning |
| Building watchman / guard | ₹500 - ₹2,000 per household | Many societies pool it; check with your RWA first |
| Newspaper, milk, garbage collection | ₹200 - ₹500 each | Small cash token in an envelope |
| Nanny / caregiver (live-in) | One month's salary or more | Plus clothes; many families add a gift for their children |
Questions
Is a Diwali bonus legally required?
For house staff it is custom, not a statutory payment. The Payment of Bonus Act covers establishments, not household employees. In practice most families give roughly one month's pay to full-time staff, and staff plan their own Diwali around it.
Cash or a gift?
Cash first. Staff usually prefer it because they buy for their own families. A box of sweets or clothes on top is a nice touch, not a replacement.
When should I give it?
A week or more before Diwali (Diwali is on 8 November 2026), so they have time to shop and travel home. Giving it on the day itself is late.
Someone joined a few months ago. Full amount?
A common rule is pro rata: half a month's pay for under six months of service, a full month after that. Many families round up anyway.
What do I write on the envelope?
Their name and a short line: "Happy Diwali, Sunita ji - with thanks for all your help this year, The Sharma Family". More lines in our shagun envelope wording guide.