How Gratuity Is Calculated: The 15/26 Formula and Service Rounding
See how eligible monthly wage, the 15/26 factor, service rounding and the statutory ceiling shape an ordinary gratuity estimate.
- Published
- Published
- Updated
- Updated
- Reading time
- 7 min read
- Operative framework
- Code on Social Security, 2020, effective for gratuity from 21 November 2025
- Last verified
This article is for education and general information. See the Financial Disclaimer before using it for an important decision.
The supported formula is eligible monthly wage × 15 ÷ 26 × counted years
This is the ordinary monthly-rated calculation supported by the engine. It assumes the eligible wage has already been determined for the applicable context; it does not derive that wage from salary components.
The engine retains floating-point precision internally and the interface formats the result as Indian currency.
Exactly six months and seven months produce different counted service
The rule is more than six months, not six months or more. Ten years and exactly six months therefore remain 10 counted years; ten years and seven months become 11 counted years.
| Service input | Counted years | Raw formula | Statutory estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 years, 0 months | 10 | ₹2,88,461.54 | ₹2,88,461.54 |
| 10 years, 6 months | 10 | ₹2,88,461.54 | ₹2,88,461.54 |
| 10 years, 7 months | 11 | ₹3,17,307.69 | ₹3,17,307.69 |
The statutory ceiling can reduce the displayed statutory estimate
At an eligible wage of ₹5,00,000.00 and 30 counted years, the engine's raw formula result is ₹86,53,846.15. It then applies the ₹20,00,000.00 ceiling, so the statutory estimate is ₹20,00,000.00.
| Raw formula | Ceiling | Statutory estimate | Ceiling applied |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹86,53,846.15 | ₹20,00,000.00 | ₹20,00,000.00 | Yes |
A formula result is not an eligibility decision
Continuous service, qualifying events, death or disablement exceptions, fixed-term treatment, employee category and forfeiture require facts the calculator does not collect.
Check those boundaries in Gratuity Eligibility, return to Gratuity Explained, or model the supported inputs in the Gratuity Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is service rounded up at exactly six additional months?
No. The supported rule adds a year only when additional completed service is in excess of six months.
Why does the calculator show raw and statutory amounts?
The raw amount preserves the ordinary formula output; the statutory estimate applies the maintained monetary ceiling.
References
Authoritative sources used for facts that may change over time.
- Code on Social Security, 2020 — section 53 — India Code, Government of India (accessed 2026-08-22)
- Key provisions under the Code on Social Security, 2020 — Ministry of Labour & Employment (accessed 2026-08-22)
- FAQs on Labour Codes — Ministry of Labour & Employment (accessed 2026-08-22)
- Additional FAQs on Labour Codes — Ministry of Labour & Employment (accessed 2026-08-22)
- Gratuity exemption ceiling notification context — Income Tax Department (accessed 2026-08-22)
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