Salary Hikes for Government Employees: Central government employees and pensioners are now waiting for the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission. They hope that the commission will recommend a substantial increase in their salary and pension.
8th Pay Commission: Ever since the government announced the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, the question is being asked that how much benefit can the central employees and pensioners get? How much increase is possible in their salary and pension? Many experts are busy doing their calculations about this. The then UPA government had constituted the 7th Pay Commission in 2014 and the NDA government implemented its recommendations from 2016. Under the 7th Pay Commission, the minimum basic salary for central government employees is Rs 18,000 and the minimum basic pension for pensioners is Rs 9,000.
How much increase is possible?
M. Raghavaiya, staff leader of the National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM), recently told NDTV Profit that they are pressing for a fitment factor of at least 2 under the new pay commission. This means that a 100% increase in the salary of central employees is possible. At the same time, former Finance Secretary of India Subhash Chandra Garg told News24 that the government may approve a fitment factor of 1.92-2.08. While NC-JCM Secretary Staff Side Shiv Gopal Mishra said in an interview with News24 that the new fitment factor should not be less than 2.86. Keeping these fitment factors in mind, the possible salary hike can be as follows.
| Fitment Factor | Minimum Basic Pay (₹) | Minimum Basic Pension (₹) |
| 1.92 | 34,560 | 17,280 |
| 2 | 36,000 | 18,000 |
| 2.08 | 37,440 | 18,720 |
| 2.86 | 51,480 | 25,740 |
When will it be implemented?
Media reports have quoted Expenditure Secretary Manoj Govil as saying that the new pay commission can start its work in April 2025 as part of the financial year 2025-26. At the same time, Shiv Gopal Mishra had said in a conversation with News24 that the 8th Pay Commission can be constituted by February 15, 2025. The report of the commission will be finalized by November 30 and the government will review it for further consideration in December and the new pay commission can be implemented in the country from January 2026. However, February 15 has passed, but till now there is no news about its formation.
