8th Pay Commission: Debates have escalated in relation to the 8th Pay Commission for central government employees. There is an intense controversy surrounding the fitment factor, which serves as the primary factor for adjusting salaries and pensions.
Fitment factor is the multiplier used to update salaries and pensions
Recently, the National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery’s (NC-JCM) secretary, Shiv Gopal Mishra, has called for an increase in the fitment factor. It is said that this stage is crucial due to inflation. The fitment factor is the multiplier used to update salaries and pensions. The 7th Pay Commission proposed a fitment factor of 2.57, which raised the minimum salary from Rs 7,000 to Rs 17,990. In the 8th Pay Commission, the recommendation is to maintain the fitment factor at 2.86. Should this request be approved, the minimum salary could reach Rs 51,451. Up to now, the government has not released any statements about the 8th Pay Commission. However, there is a belief that it will come into existence in the year 2026. All government workers and retirees are anticipating significant changes in the 8th Pay Commission.
Minimum salary from Rs. 17,990 to Rs. 51,451?
If the 8th Pay Commission incorporates a fitment factor of 2.86, the minimum salary of central employees could rise substantially, from Rs. 17,990 to Rs. 51,451. This rise is deemed essential due to inflation and increasing cost of living. Nevertheless, speculation suggests the minimum wage might be around Rs. 34,000 to ₹35,000, yet Shiv Gopal Mishra denied these claims as there has been no official confirmation.
The government has not provided any official details about the 8th Pay Commission, however, it is anticipated to be established in 2026. Central workers and retirees are eagerly anticipating this. There is a focus on whether the government will make a fair and prompt change in response to inflation and increasing living expenses.