8th pay commission salary hike: Diwali is around the corner, and as usual, government employees are eagerly awaiting news on the 8th Pay Commission, hoping for an announcement before the festival. Sources suggest that the government may make the declaration soon. However, uncertainty over the fitment factor remains. Will it increase to 2.86 or 1.92? It is also possible that the fitment factor could fall somewhere between these two values. How can government employees calculate their salary and pension hike? Here’s a guide to help.
The 8th Central Pay Commission will make changes to salaries, allowances, and pensions. It will affect more than 50 lakh government employees and 65 lakh pensioners. Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the commission in January 2025. The new pay rules are expected to start from January 1, 2026. The 7th CPC, effective since 2016, expires on December 31, 2025.
Fitment Factor, and what are the hikes?
8th pay commission salary hike: A fitment factor is important to decide the Central government employees’ salaries and pensions. Currently, in the 7th Pay Commission, the fitment factor is at 2.57. According to reports, this fitment factor will be increased between 1.92 and 2.86, if it is adopted. If that happens, the central government pay scales will rise sharply.
8th pay commission: How the Fitment Factor Works
- Current (7th CPC): Basic Pay × 2.57 = Revised Basic Pay (plus DA, HRA, etc.)
- Proposed (8th CPC): Basic Pay × 2.86 = New Basic Pay (DA starts at 0%, but merged allowances boost the base)
8th pay commission: How to Calculate the Fitment factor?
- The minimum basic pay under the 7th CPC is ₹18,000. With a 2.86 fitment factor
- New Minimum Basic Pay: ₹18,000 × 2.86 = ₹51,480 (a ~186% jump from the pre-7th CPC base, or ~30% effective hike post-DA merger)
If the fitment factor increases to 1.92
- New Minimum Basic Pay = ₹18,000 × 1.92
- ₹18,000 × 1.92 = ₹34,560 (a ~92% jump from the pre-7th CPC base, or ~15–16% effective hike post-DA merger).
Now for the approximate jump if the Fitment factor is increased to 1.92
- Pre-7th CPC base = ₹18,000
- Increase = ₹34,560 − ₹18,000 = ₹16,560
- Percentage jump = (16,560 ÷ 18,000) × 100 ≈ 92%
8th pay commission
| Pay Level (7th CPC) | Current Basic Pay (Entry) | Projected Basic Pay (2.86 Factor) | Approx. % Increase (Post-DA Merge) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (e.g., Peon) | ₹18,000 | ₹51,480 | 30–34% |
| Level 4 (e.g., Clerk) | ₹25,500 | ₹72,930 | 30–34% |
| Level 6 (e.g., Assistant) | ₹35,400 | ₹101,244 | 30–34% |
| Level 10 (e.g., Officer) | ₹56,100 | ₹160,446 | 30–34% |
| Level 14 (e.g., Joint Secretary) | ₹1,44,200 | ₹4,12,412 | 30–34% |
