8th Pay Commission: The government has already decided to form the 8th Pay Commission on January 16, 2025. However, the commission has not yet been established. Despite this, many people wonder how much the salaries of government employees might increase based on the recommendations of the new pay commission.
A definite answer to this question will only be available after the 8th Pay Commission is formed and its recommendations are implemented. However, some estimations can be made based on calculations. These calculations are derived from the previous pay commission (7th Pay Commission) recommendations and the estimated fitment factor. Based on this, we will provide an average estimate of how much government employees’ salaries may increase. But first, let’s understand the basis of this calculation—the fitment factor.
What is the Fitment Factor?
The Fitment Factor is a multiplier used to decide the salary and pension of government employees. It helps convert the old basic salary into the new pay scale. In the 7th Pay Commission, the fitment factor was 2.57, which led to an increase of about 23-25% in employees’ total salaries. The estimated fitment factor in the 8th Pay Commission is expected to range from 2.28 to 2.86.
How Much Will the Salary Increase Under the 8th Pay Commission?
Everyone is curious about how much their salary and pension might increase due to the new Pay Commission. While a definitive answer can only come after the formation of the 8th Pay Commission and its recommendations, an estimate can be made based on past trends.
Calculation of Possible Salary Increase
If the fitment factor of 2.86 is applied in the 8th Pay Commission’s recommendations, the minimum basic salary could rise from Rs 18,000 to Rs 51,480. However, if the fitment factor is set at 2.28, the minimum basic salary would be Rs 41,040. Apart from the basic salary, the total salary also includes allowances like dearness allowance (DA), house rent allowance (HRA), and travel allowance (TA). However, the increase is calculated based on the basic salary only. So, if the 2.86 fitment factor is approved, the total salary of government employees is expected to increase by approximately 25-30%.
How Much Did Salaries Increase in Previous Pay Commissions?
The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, which were implemented from January 1, 2016, used a fitment factor of 2.57. As a result, the minimum basic salary of central government employees increased from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000, with their total salary rising by 23-25%. Looking at previous pay commissions, the fitment factor during the 6th Pay Commission (from 2006 to 2016) was 1.86.