8th Pay Commission: A series of meetings regarding the 8th Pay Commission has been ongoing ever since its formation was approved. A meeting was recently held in Kolkata, where several issues were discussed.

8th Pay Commission Kolkata Meeting: Since the Central Government approved the 8th Pay Commission, continuous meetings have been taking place to discuss the new pay structure. These discussions cover various topics, including the fitment factor and matters related to pensioners. A meeting was recently held in Kolkata on Thursday, July 9, 2026, where substantive discussions on these issues took place.

This two-day meeting is scheduled to continue until Friday, July 10, 2026. Previously, the Commission held similar meetings in cities like Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Srinagar, and Ladakh, where significant discussions regarding employee salaries were conducted. Employees are now closely watching the ongoing meeting in Kolkata; here is a look at the issues likely to be discussed.

Issues for discussion at the 8th Pay Commission’s Kolkata meeting

Discussions at this 8th Pay Commission meeting are focusing on the salaries of employees and pensioners, as well as Dearness Allowance (DA) and pension amounts. Several key issues are on the agenda, including:

• Employee organizations are strongly demanding an increase in the fitment factor. Under the 7th Pay Commission, it stood at 2.57; there is now a demand to raise it to 3.8.
• The Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS) has demanded a fitment factor of 4.0, which could potentially raise the minimum basic salary to ₹72,000.
• Meanwhile, the National Council (JCM) Staff Side (NCJCM) has proposed a fitment factor of 3.833.

Basic Salary Set to Rise

If the proposal to increase the fitment factor receives approval during this meeting, the basic salary of employees will also increase. Currently, the minimum basic salary for central government employees stands at ₹18,000, and there have been demands to raise this figure. Meanwhile, several employee unions may also raise demands for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Although the government has already implemented the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), many organizations continue to advocate for the return of the OPS.

Other Issues Up for Discussion

The meeting will also cover various other issues, such as revisions to the House Rent Allowance (HRA), uniform Dearness Relief, improved medical facilities for pensioners, and enhancements to the MACP (Modified Assured Career Progression) scheme.

Will a Decision Be Reached?

Many believe that a decision will be announced following this meeting; however, that is not the case. No final decision regarding salary hikes will be taken at the Kolkata meeting. The commission is currently gathering opinions and suggestions from employees and organizations, which will form the basis for its final report to be prepared later.