The Central Government last month approved the 8th Pay Commission, with over 1 Central Government employees and pensioners are now waiting for the salary and pension hike. M. Raghavaiah, the staff side leader of the National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) has told NDTV Profit that they are pushing for a fitment factor of “not less than 2” in the new Pay Commission.
Notably, Subhash Chandra Garg, the former finance secretary of India, told News24 in an exclusive interview that the government may approve the fitment factor of 1.92-2.08 under the next Pay Commission.
8th Pay Commission: BIG Update On Timeline
Several media reports quoted Expenditure Secretary Manoj Govil that the 8th Pay Commission is expected to commence its work in April 2025, as part of the 2025-26 financial year.
Potential Salary Hike
Currently, the central government employees receive a minimum basic salary of Rs 18,000. Pensioners’ minimum basic pension is Rs 9,000 under the 7th Pay Commission.
At 1.92 fitment factor, central government employees’ minimum basic salary will rise to 34,560. Moreover, the minimum basic pension could surge to Rs 17,280. When the fitment factor is 2, central government employees’ minimum basic salary will rise to 36,000, a 100% increase. Moreover, the minimum basic pension could surge to Rs 18,000, at this fitment factor. At a fitment factor of 2.08, central government employees’ minimum basic salary will rise to 37,440, a 108% increase. Moreover, the minimum basic pension could surge to Rs 18,720, if the fitment factor is kept 2.08.
However, Shiv Gopal Mishra, secretary staff side NC–JCM (National Council – Joint Consultative Machinery) told News24, “I think it (fitment factor) should be 2.86. Staff side of NC–JCM and other experts are working on it.” This is a more optimistic scenario for the central government employees and the pensioners.
At a fitment factor of 2.86, central government employees’ minimum basic salary will rise to 51,480, a 186% increase. Moreover, the minimum basic pension could surge to Rs 25,740, if the fitment factor is kept 2.86.
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