The central government, led by PM Modi, approved the formation of the 8th Central Pay Commission in January this year. Now, all eyes are on the announcement of the panel members. It is expected that the government will announce the names of the chairman and two other members for the 8th Pay Commission in April.

Meanwhile, employees are eagerly waiting for the appointment of the panel members as it will kickstart the process of increasing their salaries.

Additionally, the fitment factor, which will determine how much the salary of employees will increase, will be decided once the panel is formed. According to media reports, a 2.86 fitment factor may be used for salary hikes in the 8th Pay Commission. The National Council-Joint Consultative Mechanism (NC-JCM) has also demanded a 2.86 fitment factor from the commission.\

What is the Fitment Factor and How Does it Decide Salary?

The fitment factor is a formula used to decide the salary and pension of government employees and pensioners. Under this formula, the basic salary of an employee is multiplied by a fixed multiplier.

For example, if an employee’s current salary is Rs 18,000 and the fitment factor is 2.86, then multiplying Rs 18,000 by 2.86 will give the new salary of the employee.

Who Decides the Fitment Factor?

The fitment factor is determined based on the recommendations of the Pay Commission. It is reviewed and adjusted over time, with the goal of improving the economic conditions of employees. When deciding the fitment factor, factors such as the economic condition of employees, inflation rate, and the needs of employees are considered.

How Much Will the Salary of Employees Increase from Level 1 to 5?

According to the Financial Express, if a 2.86 fitment factor is applied under the 8th Pay Commission, the salary increases for employees from levels 1 to 5 will be as follows:

  • Level-1: From Rs 18,000 to Rs 51,480
  • Level 2: From Rs 19,900 to Rs 56,914
  • Level-3: From Rs 21,700 to Rs 62,062
  • Level-4: From Rs 25,500 to Rs 72,930

What Will Be the Salary of Section Officers and Assistant Engineers?

Employees in technical or supervisory roles under level 6, such as inspectors, sub-inspectors, and junior engineers, will see their salaries cross Rs 1 lakh, up from Rs 35,400.

Meanwhile, employees in level 7, such as section officers, assistant engineers, and those in project management or complex administrative tasks, will also see a significant salary increase. Currently, under the 7th Pay Commission, level-7 employees earn Rs 44,900. With the 8th Pay Commission’s new fitment factor, their salary is expected to rise by Rs 83,514, bringing their new salary to Rs 1,28,414 per month.