8th Pay Commission: Minimum Pay May Jump to ?69,000 as NC-JCM Pushes for 3.83 Fitment Factor

New Delhi — Central government employees could be in line for a substantial salary hike, as the National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) has proposed a major revision under the upcoming 8th Pay Commission.

In its memorandum, the NC-JCM has recommended a fitment factor of 3.83, which could raise the minimum basic salary from the current ?18,000 (set under the 7th Pay Commission) to around ?69,000. The proposal also includes additional benefits such as one month’s wages as gratuity.

The fitment factor plays a crucial role in salary revisions. It acts as a multiplier applied to the existing basic pay, taking into account inflation and cost of living. For comparison, the 7th Pay Commission used a fitment factor of 2.57 to revise salaries.

Apart from the salary increase, the NC-JCM has suggested a 6% annual increment and two additional increments on promotion, ensuring a minimum gain of ?10,000 for employees.

If implemented, these changes would impact more than 50 lakh central government employees and nearly 65 lakh pensioners across the country.

The government’s pay structure is organised into an 18-level matrix, where higher-ranking officials receive greater pay along with allowances such as House Rent Allowance (HRA), provident fund benefits, and more.

Meanwhile, the Federation of National Postal Organisations has urged the government to merge the existing 58% dearness allowance with the basic pay and provide interim relief from the same date.

While the final salary revision will depend on the fitment factor approved by the government, experts believe it is likely to be above 2.5. Some employee groups have demanded a factor of 3.15, though a final decision may take more than a year.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary recently informed Parliament that the 8th Pay Commission will review salaries, allowances, pensions, and other benefits. The commission is expected to submit its recommendations within 18 months from November 2025.

With inputs from IANS