7th CPC Briefcase Allowance
Reimbursement of Briefcase Allowance in Central Government Services
Railway Board order
As per the order issued on 10 April 2019 by the Railway Board, the Department of Staff and Training (DoPT) revised the monetary limit for the purchase of briefcase, ladies’ handbag or purse:
| Level of Officers | Existing Monetary Ceiling | Revised Monetary Ceiling | Period |
| Board Members / DGs (Apex Level) | Rs. 10,000 | Rs. 10,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Advisors/PED/Addl. Members (HA Grade) or equivalent | Rs. 8,000 | Rs. 8,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Joint Secretary/Executive Directors (SA Grade) or equivalent | Rs. 6,500 | Rs. 6,500 | Once in 3 years |
| Director / Joint Dierctor / Deputy Secretary/PSO/Sr. PPS or equivalent | Rs. 4,500 | Rs. 5,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Deputy Director/Under Secretary / PPS or equivalent | Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 4,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Section Officer/PS or equivalent | Rs. 3,500 | Rs. 4,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Assistant Section Officer/PA/Inspector or equivalent | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 3,500 | Once in 3 years |
The reimbursement will be limited to the above mentioned ceiling limits subject to submission of proper invoice or bills with GST number, Book number and invoice number of the trader. The bills should clearly mention the name of the article and name of the Officers or Staff purchasing the article.
Department of Investment and Public Asset Management
As per the order issued on 20 July 2017 by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, the previous and revised ceiling in respect of the officers:
| Level of Officers | Existing Monetary Ceiling | Revised Monetary Ceiling | Period |
| Secretary, Special Secretary or Equivalent | Rs. 7,000 | Rs. 10,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Addl. Secretary & equivalent | Rs. 6,000 | Rs. 8,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Joint Secretary & equivalent | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 6,500 | Once in 3 years |
| Director / Dy. Secy. /PSO/Sr. PPS or equivalent | Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 5,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Under Secretary / PPS or equivalent | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 4,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Section Officer or equivalent | Rs. 2,400 | Rs. 4,000 | Once in 3 years |
| Assistant / PA or equivalent | Rs. 2,000 | Rs. 3,500 | Once in 3 years |
The Briefcase, Office Bag, Ladies Purse shall be provided to the above officers on completion of three years from the date of issue of earlier one.
As per the CDA order issued on 31st January 2017, who are drawing Grade Pay of Rs. 4600 to Rs. 5400 irrespective of the gazetted status to procure briefcase, official bag, ladies purse of their choice from any private or public outlet. However, reimbursement shall be restricted to Rs. 3000 concomitant with the respective level/grade pay of officer/official, as prevalent in Ministry of Defence.
Briefcase Allowance in Defence Accounts Department
On 29 May 2020, the CGDA released orders on qualifications and amended rates for briefcase payment reimbursement to DAD employees and officers. The effect of the revised rates and entitlement to the briefcase allowance will be 1.6.2020. [See the order described in detail]
As per the order issued on 28 January 2020 by the Controller General of Defence Accounts, reimbursement of briefcase allowance to the officers and staff of DAD at varied rates prescribed by the Ministry of Defence (Finance) vide its circular No. S(10)/2013/Gen Dated 16th April 2013.
| Level of Officers / Officials (DAD) | Level of Officers / Officials (DAD) | Rates |
| Secretary/Special Secretary | CGDA | Rs. 9,000 |
| Addl. Secretary & Equivalent | Addl. CGDA / PCsDA and equivalent | Rs. 8,000 |
| Joint Secretary & Equivalent | CsDA and equivalent | Rs. 6,500 |
| Director/Dy. Secy./Sr. PPS & Equivalent | Addl. CsDA / Jt. CsDA and equivalent | Rs. 5,000 |
| Under Secretary/PPS & Equivalent | DCsDA / PPSs and equivalent | Rs. 4,000 |
| Desk Officer/Section Officer & Equivalent | ACsDA / ADs (OL) / Sr.AOs / AOs / AAOs / SPSs and equivalent | Rs. 3,500 |
| Assistant/ PA (GP Rs. 4600) & Equivalent | Non-Gazetted Staff in the Grade pay equivalent Rs. 4600 and above. | Rs. 3,000 |
Application for reimbursement claim for purchase of Briefcase Allowance – PDF Download
7th CPC Recommendations on Briefcase Allowance
8.17.5 Certain categories of Central Government employees are entitled to reimbursement of expenditure incurred on purchase of briefcase/official bag/ladies’ purse as per the following provisions:
| Pay Band | GP Ceiling |
| Apex | 10000 |
| HAG, HAG+ | 8000 |
| GP 10000 | 6500 |
| GP 7600 to GP 8700 | 5000 |
| GP 4800 to GP 6600 | 4000 |
The periodicity of reimbursement is restricted to once in three years. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.
Analysis and Recommendations: The Commission is of the view that the present rates are adequate However, the ceiling shall further increase by 25 percent each time DA increases by 50 percent
| No | 19 |
| Name of the Allowance | Briefcase Allowance |
| Recommendations of the 7th CPC | Retained. Status Quo to be maintained. |
| Modifications accepted by the Government | Accepted |
The minimum briefcases allowance is Rs.3500 and the overall monetary limit is Rs.10000 after the 7th CPC.
Once every three years, the entitled officers may demand the amount of expenditure on the purchase from any private or public source of the briefcase, official bag, ladies’ purse of their choosing.
The minimum briefcases allowance is Rs.3500 and the overall monetary limit is Rs.10000 after the 7th CPC.
