8th pay commission: People across the country are eagerly awaiting the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission. It is expected that the government could implement it anytime after June 2027, which would come as a major boon. The question now on everyone’s mind is: by how much will the salaries of central government employees increase once the 8th Pay Commission is implemented?
The ‘fitment factor’ will serve as the benchmark for determining the salary hike. If the demands made by employee associations and unions are accepted, the minimum salary could rise to ₹69,000. Based on this, an increase of approximately ₹51,000 could be seen.
What is the fitment factor?
Simply put, the fitment factor is a multiplier. The Central Pay Commission uses it to convert an employee’s existing basic salary or pension into the new, revised basic salary structure. Understanding this calculation is crucial because any change in the fitment factor directly impacts employees’ salaries, pensions, increments, and arrears.
What was the rule under the 7th pay commission?
Under the 7th Pay Commission, the government had set the fitment factor at 2.57. As a result, the minimum basic salary for employees jumped from ₹7,000 to ₹18,000.
What are the demands being made?
Various employee unions and associations have presented their respective demands regarding the fitment factor for the 8th Pay Commission to the government. The demands range from a minimum of 1.92 to a maximum of 3.83:
Expert estimate: 1.92
Jammu & Kashmir Employees Coordination Committee: 2.86 to 3.68
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC): 3.00
Jammu & Kashmir Employees Forum: 3.05
Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO): 3.25
NC-JCM: 3.83
Check the minimum basic salary corresponding to various fitment factors
Currently, under the 7th Pay Commission, the minimum basic salary is ₹18,000. Based on this, the salary calculations under various potential fitment factors for the 8th Pay Commission would be as follows:
In other words, even if the government retains the existing fitment factor of 2.57, the basic pay of the lowest-paid central government employee would rise from ₹18,000 to ₹46,260. However, if the government accepts the maximum demand (3.83) made by employee unions, this figure would jump to ₹68,940.
