8th Pay Commission latest news: Could Level 1 basic pay jump to ₹72,000? Check Level 1-5 estimates

The fitment factor could play a major role in deciding the revised basic pay of central government employees under the 8th Pay Commission. Employee and pensioner organisations have demanded multipliers much higher than the 2.57 factor used by the 7th Pay Commission.

Proposed factors range from 2.62 to 4.0, creating a wide gap in possible revised salaries.

Several employee and pensioner organisations have suggested higher fitment factors. NC-JCM, AIDEF and FNPO, among others, have proposed 3.833. BPMS has sought 4, while AITUC has recommended 3. IRTSA has suggested five different factors—2.92, 3.50, 3.80, 4.09 and 4.38—for different employee levels.

A demand from employee bodies does not mean the government will approve the same multiplier. The proposed fitment factors are based partly on the need-based minimum wage approach linked to the Aykroyd formula. However, the government also has to consider its finances and the cost of salaries and allowances. The 7th Pay Commission had notified 2.57 despite a 3.71 demand from NC-JCM.

Under the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix, Level 1 employees have a basic pay of ₹18,000. Level 2 starts at ₹19,900, Level 3 at ₹21,700, Level 4 at ₹25,500 and Level 5 at ₹29,200. These existing basic pay figures are used to estimate how salaries could change under different proposed 8th Pay Commission fitment factors.

If a 2.62 fitment factor is applied to the existing basic pay, the estimated revised basic pay for Level 1 would be ₹47,160. Level 2 could reach ₹52,138, while Level 3 could rise to ₹56,854. Level 4 and Level 5 could reach ₹66,810 and ₹76,504, respectively. These are illustrative estimates, not announced salaries.

At a 3x fitment factor, Level 1 basic pay of ₹18,000 would translate into an estimated ₹54,000. Level 2 could become ₹59,700 and Level 3 ₹65,100. For Level 4, the estimate is ₹76,500, while Level 5 could reach ₹87,600. The actual revised pay will depend on the final multiplier approved under the 8th Pay Commission.

A 3.50 fitment factor would push the estimated Level 1 basic pay to ₹63,000. Level 2 could rise to ₹69,650 and Level 3 to ₹75,950. The estimated basic pay for Level 4 would be ₹89,250, while Level 5 could reach ₹1,02,200. These calculations show how strongly the final fitment factor can affect revised basic pay.

If the 3.833 factor proposed by several employee and pensioner organisations is accepted, Level 1 basic pay could be around ₹68,994. The estimates rise to ₹76,277 for Level 2, ₹83,176 for Level 3, ₹97,742 for Level 4 and ₹1,11,924 for Level 5. However, 3.833 remains a proposal, not the confirmed factor.

At a 4x multiplier, Level 1 basic pay could rise from ₹18,000 to an estimated ₹72,000. Level 2 could reach ₹79,600, Level 3 ₹86,800, Level 4 ₹1,02,000 and Level 5 ₹1,16,800. The wide range across these scenarios highlights why the final fitment factor will be closely watched by employees and pensioners.