8th Pay Commission: How much will salaries rise if fitment factor is 3.83 or 4.0? Check calculations
The 8th Pay Commission will recommend a new salary structure for central government employees and pensioners. One of the key factors that will decide the increase in the basic pay of serving employees is the ‘fitment factor.’
Under the 6th and 7th Pay Commission, the fitment factor numbers decided were 1.86 and 2.57, respectively. These numbers were set to protect the purchasing power of serving government employees and pensioners.
Several employee unions and pensioner bodies have urged the 8th Pay Commission to consider a higher fitment factor. The All India Federation of Pensioners’ Associations (AIFPA) have suggested a fitment factor of 3.83. The Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS) have suggested a fitment factor of 4.0 in their memorandum submitted to the 8th Pay Commission.
Currently, the 8th Pay Commission panel is holding meetings with stakeholders and employee unions in major cities across the country.
A higher fitment factor will result in a substantial increase in basic pay. The actual salary revision will still depend on the 8th Pay Commission’s recommendations to the government and is subject to the Centre’s final approval.
What is fitment factor?
The fitment factor is a multiplier used to calculate revised basic pay.
The calculation is done based on the following formula:
Current basic pay × fitment factor = Estimated revised basic pay
For example, if an employee’s current basic pay is ₹18,000:
- At a fitment factor of 3.83, the revised basic pay would be ₹68,940.
- At a fitment factor of 4.0, the revised basic pay would be ₹72,000.
8th Pay Commission salary calculation at 3.83 and 4.0
The table shows how the basic pay at different ‘pay matrix’ levels could change if a fitment factor of 3.83 or 4.0 is approved.
| Pay Matrix level | 7th Pay Commission basic salary | Estimated basic pay at 3.83 fitment factor | Estimated basic pay at 4.0 fitment factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ₹18,000 | ₹68,940 | ₹72,000 |
| Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹76,217 | ₹79,600 |
| Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ₹83,111 | ₹86,800 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹97,665 | ₹1,02,000 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹1,11,836 | ₹1,16,800 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹1,35,582 | ₹1,41,600 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹1,71,967 | ₹1,79,600 |
| Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹2,14,863 | ₹2,24,400 |
| Level 13 | ₹1,23,100 | ₹4,71,473 | ₹4,92,400 |
| Level 18 | ₹2,50,000 | ₹9,57,500 | ₹10,00,000 |
Note: The calculations discussed above are illustrative estimates only. No final fitment factor has been announced by the 8th Pay Commission yet.
What does this mean for government employees?
This means that a higher fitment factor can help boost government employees’ salaries more comprehensively. An employee with a basic salary of ₹35,400 at Level 6 could see an estimated basic pay of:
- ₹1,35,582 with a 3.83 fitment factor
- ₹1,41,600 with a 4.0 fitment factor
An employee at Level 10 with a basic salary of ₹56,100 could have an estimated revised basic pay of ₹2,14,863 at 3.83 and ₹2,24,400 at 4.0.
The recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission panel, when accepted, will have implications for salary revisions over the next 10 years, as the basic pay decided will set the basis for future salary increments and improvements.
It is also important to note that these calculations only show the possible revision in basic pay. The final monthly salary may differ after taking into account other aspects such as dearness allowance, house rent allowance, transport allowance and other components of the salary structure.
When will final fitment factor be announced?
The central government constituted the 8th Pay Commission on 3 November 2025 and has been given 18 months to submit its recommendations. This is a temporary body headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
The final fitment factor will be known only after the 8th Pay Commission submits its report, tentatively expected to be tabled by May-June 2027, i.e., 18 months since the constitution of the 8th Pay Commission, and the government accepts its recommendations.
Disclaimer: The salary figures in this article are estimates based on assumed fitment factors. The final fitment factor, pay matrix, and allowances will depend on the 8th Pay Commission’s recommendations and the government’s approval.
