The central government has just rolled out the 8th Pay Commission, sparking optimism among government employees about a significant salary boost thanks to a higher fitment factor. However, it’s important to note that their pay won’t rise solely because of this factor. Let’s explore other ways government employees might see their salaries increase.
What’s the deal with the fitment factor?
The fitment factor acts as a multiplier that the government uses to adjust the salaries and pensions of its employees. For the 8th Pay Commission, this factor is projected to be 2.86. If that holds true, it could mean a jump in the basic salary for government workers from 18,000 to 51,000. But remember, this isn’t the only reason for a salary hike.
How else can salaries go up?
The fitment factor only impacts the basic salary, while the gross salary includes additional elements. For instance, the government has proposed an increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA), which will also contribute to the overall salary of government employees.
Let’s break it down with an example
In the 7th Pay Commission, the fitment factor was set at 2.57, leading to a rise in the basic salary from 7,000 to 18,000. However, when we look at the actual increase, the salaries and pensions for employees at levels 1-3 only went up by about 15 percent on average. In contrast, during the 6th Pay Commission, with a fitment factor of 1.86, salaries and pensions surged by as much as 54 percent.
It’s obvious that the fitment factor from the 8th Pay Commission will only impact the basic salary. The increase in your gross salary will vary based on your position, allowances, and other considerations. Just so you know, the 8th Pay Commission is anticipated to kick in on January 1, 2026.