Career glossary

What is Appraisal / Increment?

An appraisal is a periodic review of your performance that often determines your salary increment, bonus and promotion for the coming cycle.

Also called: Performance appraisalSalary incrementAnnual review

Key takeaways

  • An appraisal is a periodic review of your performance that often determines your salary increment, bonus and promotion for the coming cycle.
  • Appraisal / Increment matters when you read a salary slip, compare job offers, or plan your career.
  • Knowing how Appraisal / Increment works helps you make sharper, better-informed job decisions.
Definition

Appraisal / Increment — meaning & explanation

A performance appraisal is a structured evaluation of how well you met your goals over a review cycle. The outcome typically feeds into decisions on your salary increment, bonus, and any promotion.

In India, most companies run appraisals annually, sometimes half-yearly, often tied to KRAs or KPIs agreed at the start of the cycle. The increment is the raise applied to your salary as a result.

Strong, well-documented performance in an appraisal directly affects your earnings growth. Knowing how your goals map to the review helps you make the case for a better increment or promotion.

Related terms

Related glossary terms

Use this on OnJob

Put Appraisal / Increment to work

More glossary terms

Appraisal / Increment — FAQs

What does Appraisal / Increment mean?

An appraisal is a periodic review of your performance that often determines your salary increment, bonus and promotion for the coming cycle.

Why does Appraisal / Increment matter to a jobseeker?

Strong, well-documented performance in an appraisal directly affects your earnings growth. Knowing how your goals map to the review helps you make the case for a better increment or promotion.

Is Appraisal / Increment the same as Performance appraisal?

Yes — Appraisal / Increment is also commonly called Performance appraisal, Salary increment, Annual review. An appraisal is a periodic review of your performance that often determines your salary increment, bonus and promotion for the coming cycle.

Free forever — no credit card

Now find the jobs that fit you

Build an AI-optimised profile in minutes, then apply to live roles with an exact fit score for each — so you only chase the ones you can win.

Create my free profile — free