8th Pay Commission: Millions of central government employees and pensioners are eagerly watching the developments of the 8th Pay Commission. Currently, commission members are engaging with employee representatives and union leaders in various cities nationwide. At the end of this month, they plan to visit Jaipur, followed by trips to Chennai and Puducherry. They have already gathered input from employee representatives in several major cities, including Delhi and Kolkata.
The salary increase will hinge on the fitment factor
The salary hike for central government employees following the implementation of the Eighth Pay Commission’s recommendations is contingent upon the fitment factor. The fitment factor established in the Seventh Pay Commission was 2.57. However, this time, employee unions are advocating for a significantly higher fitment factor from the Eighth Pay Commission. A higher fitment factor translates to a larger salary increase for central government employees.
This time, employee unions are pushing for a higher fitment factor
This time, the National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) is requesting a fitment factor of 3.833. The Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS) is asking for a 4.0 fitment factor. Additionally, the All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) has also called for a 3.833 fitment factor. There is currently no agreement among employee unions regarding the fitment factor.
Changes in the salaries of ASOs, Inspectors, Junior Engineers
The question arises: how much will the salaries of employees such as Assistant Section Officers (ASOs), Inspectors, and Junior Engineers rise after the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission are put into effect? These employees are presently categorized under Level 5 and Level 6 pay grades. The basic pay for Level 5 employees is currently Rs 29,200, while Level 6 employees earn Rs 35,400.
This time the fitment factor is expected to be 2 to 2.5
If the central government maintains a fitment factor of 2 following the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission, the basic pay of employees in Level 5 will increase to Rs 58,400. A fitment factor of 2.25 will increase the basic pay to Rs 65,700. Similarly, if the fitment factor remains at 2, the basic pay of employees in Level 6 will increase to Rs 70,800. A fitment factor of 2.25 will increase the basic pay to Rs 79,650.
The Pay Commission has to submit its report within 18 months
Experts say that this time the fitment factor could be between 2 and 2.5. This means that the basic pay of employees like ASOs, inspectors, and junior engineers will at least double. Their gross salaries will also increase accordingly. However, salary revision will take time. The 8th Pay Commission is scheduled to submit its report within 18 months.
The commission’s recommendations are expected to be implemented by the end of next year. The Commission was formed in November 2025. Accordingly, the Commission is expected to submit its report by May-June next year. The government will then consider it. This means that the salary revision for central government employees will be implemented by the end of next year.