Good news for central government employees and pensioners! The much-awaited 8th Pay Commission is expected to bring a big increase in salaries and pensions.
According to early reports, the fitment factor — which determines how much the basic pay will rise — is likely to be around 1.96.
This means the minimum basic salary could nearly double, while the total pay including Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA) will also see a big jump.
Even if the full implementation happens by 2027, the benefits will apply from January 1, 2026, and employees will get arrears accordingly.
More than 50 lakh central employees and 65 lakh pensioners are expected to benefit from the change.
What Is the Fitment Factor?
The fitment factor is a multiplier used to calculate the new basic salary under each Pay Commission.
Under the 6th Pay Commission, the minimum basic pay was ₹7,000.
Under the 7th Pay Commission, with a fitment factor of 2.57, it increased to ₹18,000.
For the 8th Pay Commission, reports suggest the fitment factor could be between 1.92 and 2.86, with 1.96 being the most likely.
How Much Will Salaries Increase?
If the fitment factor is 1.96, the minimum basic pay of ₹18,000 could rise to about ₹35,280 for Level-1 employees.
???? Formula to calculate new basic salary: Old Basic Salary × 1.96 = New Basic Salary (8th Pay Commission)
So, depending on the level, basic salaries from Level 1 to Level 18 will increase by almost double.
Example: Level-9 Employee Salary Comparison
| Particulars | Current (7th Pay) | Under 8th Pay (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹53,100 | ₹1,04,076 |
| DA (58%) | ₹30,798 | ₹0 (DA resets initially) |
| HRA (27%) | ₹14,337 | ₹28,100 |
| Total Salary | ₹98,235 | ₹1,32,177 |
➡️ Increase in monthly pay: Around ₹33,900
Important Note:
These numbers are estimates, as the official formula and fitment factor have not been finalised yet.
The final report of the 8th Pay Commission will confirm the exact figures.
