8th Pay Commission: After the announcement of the formation of the Eighth Pay Commission by the Central Government, speculations about the fitment factor have increased. Meanwhile, according to a report, it is being said that the fitment factor will be from 1.90 to 2.86… and the basic salary of government employees will increase by more than double-
8th Pay Commission Since the announcement of the formation of the Eighth Pay Commission by the Central Government, speculation has intensified regarding the fitment factor. This factor acts as a multiplier in determining the new basic salary. Central employees and pensioners are curious to know how much their salary and pension will increase amid the ongoing discussions on the fitment factor in the 8th Pay Commission?
If sources are to be believed, the government will soon issue the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Eighth Pay Commission (8th pay commission update). Once the TOR is finalized, the chairman and key members of the pay commission will be appointed.
Last month, the government had issued two circulars stating that the process for appointment of 40 employees under the Eighth Pay Commission is underway. The Finance Ministry circular also stated that most of these posts will be filled by officers from various government departments on deputation basis.
Demand for high fitment factor-
As per the Finance Ministry circular, most of the government posts will be filled by officers on deputation. Employee organizations are demanding a higher fitment factor, with some requesting a hike of 2.86 so that there can be a substantial increase in the existing salary and pension. However, it seems difficult for the government to accept this demand.
Whether it is 2.86 or 1.92, what will be the actual increase?
According to media reports, the fitment factor will be applied to the basic salary. For example, if the pay panel recommends 1.92 as the fitment factor, then the minimum basic salary will become Rs 34,560. Similarly, if 2.86 fitment is applied, the minimum salary will reach Rs 51,480.
How much fitment factor was used in the previous pay commission?
In the 6th pay commission, the fitment factor was 1.86 but the actual salary hike was around 54 percent, on the other hand, in the 7th pay commission, the fitment factor increased to 2.57 but the actual salary hike was only 14 percent.
Employees’ expectations and government’s preparation-
Currently, about 47 lakh central employees and 65 lakh pensioners are waiting for the government to finalize the ToR and appoint Pay Commission members so that the panel’s recommendations can be implemented on time.
Let us tell you that the tenure of the 8th Pay Commission will start from January 2026, as the tenure of the current 7th Pay Commission is ending on 31 December 2025. The previous commission was implemented in 2016, which put an additional burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore on the government.
The term of the Eighth Pay Commission will start from January 2026, as the term of the Seventh Pay Commission ends on 31 December 2025. This commission will recommend revision of salaries, allowances and pensions of central government employees. The previous, Seventh Pay Commission was implemented in 2016, which put an additional financial burden of ₹ 1.02 lakh crore on the government.
