8th pay commission: Here’s how much fitment factor of 1.83, 2, 2.57 and 3.83 can hike salaries for govt employees
The 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC) is in its consultation stage now, with plans to interact with employee and pensioner associations, federations, unions of central government, UT employees and other stakeholders across the country.
The commission is examining changes that are desirable and feasible in the emoluments, including for pay (usually includes salary structure, fitment factor, pay matrix), allowances (usually include Dearness Allowance, Dearness Relief, HRA), and other facilities/benefits, in cash or kind (includes increment, promotions, etc.), having regard to rationalisation, contemporary functional requirements and specialised needs
Its decisions are expected to benefit more than 1 crore individuals, including around 50 lakh central government employees and nearly 65 lakh pensioners, including defence and railway personnel and retirees. Notably, central government employees and armed forces personnel account for about 0.7% of India’s 60-crore workforce and nearly 9% of the country’s formal sector.
What is fitment factor? How is it calculated?
Fitment factor is a mathematical multiplier used by the pay commissions to convert an employee’s pre-revised basic salary (or retirees’ pension payout) into the new, revised basic salary structure. The primary formula used is as below:
Current basic pay x fitment factor = New basic pay.
Thus, under the 7th CPC, where a fitment factor of 2.57 was implemented, basic pay rose from ₹7,000 to ₹18,000 as follows: ₹7,000 x 2.57 = ₹18,000.
How much fitment factor can be expected?
The 8th central pay commission (CPC) is in its consultation stage, having closed submission for suggestions and data from employee representative groups, unions and other stakeholders as of July.
A number of stakeholders have expressed demand for higher fitment factor. Employee and pensioner groups, unions, representatives and stakeholders have recommended 3.83 as the highest possible fitment factor that could be approved, as per a Clear Tax report. Overall, conservative projections by experts are between 1.83-2, while moderate estimates from the industry are between 2-2.57, it added.
However, at this time, discussions on the 8th CPC are still ongoing, and the fitment factor has not yet been decided. Further, once the 8th CPC recommendations come, and the Centre will also have to approve the same before it is implemented.
Fitment factor 1.83, 2, 2.57, 3.83: How much can pay increase?
Today, we calculate how much of a salary hike fitment factor of 1.83, 2, 2.57, and 3.83 could provide beneficiaries. Check calculations below:
| Pay Matrix Level | 7th CPC Basic Salary | 8th CPC estimate: 1.83 fitment factor | 8th CPC estimate: 2 fitment factor | 8th CPC estimate: 2.57 fitment factor | 8th CPC estimate: 3.83 fitment factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ₹18,000 | ₹32,940 | ₹36,000 | ₹46,260 | ₹68,940 |
| Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹36,417 | ₹39,800 | ₹51,143 | ₹76,217 |
| Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ₹39,711 | ₹43,400 | ₹55,769 | ₹83,111 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹46,665 | ₹51,000 | ₹65,535 | ₹97,665 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹53,436 | ₹58,400 | ₹75,044 | ₹1,11,836 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹64,782 | ₹70,800 | ₹90,978 | ₹1,35,582 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹82,167 | ₹89,800 | ₹1,15,393 | ₹1,71,967 |
| Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹1,02,663 | ₹1,12,200 | ₹1,44,177 | ₹2,14,863 |
| Level 13 | ₹1,23,100 | ₹2,25,273 | ₹2,46,200 | ₹3,16,367 | ₹4,71,473 |
| Level 18 | ₹2,50,000 | ₹4,57,500 | ₹5,00,000 | ₹6,42,500 | ₹9,57,500 |
8th CPC: How much salary hike can be estimated?
Constituted every 10 years, the latest panel is expected to announce its decisions by mid-2027. It has sought inputs from labour representatives and groups, ministries, pension bodies, central government organisations / institutions, employee unions / associations, and other similar stakeholders. This data will be analysed and then used to decide pay, allowances, fitment factor, pension, and salary for central government employees and pensioners.
Overall salary increase under the 8th CPC will depend on the minimum pay, fitment factor and DA hike. At present, the likely increase is purely speculative as based on estimates by stakeholders and representatives.
- The conservative estimate is for a 20-30% salary hike in the 8th CPC,
- While the moderate estimate is for a 30-50% salary hike in the 8th CPC,
- And the high-end estimate, takes into account highest recommended fitment factor, for an optimistic, over 80% salary hike in the 8th CPC.
