We can probably say that the Pay Commission decides the future of central government employees and pensioners for at least 10 years. India has a population of around 140 crores. Out of these 140 crores, 1 crore people currently enjoy the privilege of being employees or former employees of the central government. The then UPA government constituted the 7th Pay Commission in 2014 and the NDA government implemented it in 2016.

In January this year, the Union Cabinet gave its approval to the 8th Pay Commission. The central government usually constitutes a pay commission every 10 years. Also, under the 7th Pay Commission, the minimum basic salary for central government employees is Rs 18,000 and the minimum basic pension for pensioners is Rs 9,000.

8th Pay Commission: Possible Salary Hike

National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) Staff Side Leader M. Raghavaiah recently told NDTV Profit that they will consider 'Fitment Factor 2' under the new pay commission. This will lead to a 100% salary hike.

Meanwhile, India's former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg told that the government may approve a fitment factor of 1.92-2.08. However, NC-JCM Staff Side Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra said in an interview that the new fitment factor should not be less than 2.86. Taking these fitment factors into account, the possible salary revision can be between 92% to 186%.

The possible salary revision under the new pay commission is as follows-

Timeline

Many media reports have quoted India's Expenditure Secretary Manoj Goel as saying that the new pay commission may start its work in April 2025.

However, Shiv Gopal Mishra said, "I hope that the 8th Pay Commission will be set up by February 15, 2025. The report of the commission will be finalised by November 30 and the government will review it for further consideration in December and the new pay commission can be implemented in the country from January 2026."