8th Pay Commission memorandum deadline: How minimum, maximum salaries of central government employees have changed from 1st to 7th CPC

June 15, 2026, was the last date for stakeholders to submit their memorandum to the 8th Pay Commission (8th CPC). With the consultation process now over, central government employees and pensioners are eagerly awaiting details on the Commission's recommendations, including the implementation date and the fitment factor.

The current minimum and maximum basic pays (under the 7th Pay Commission) stand at Rs 18,000 and Rs 2,50,000, respectively. Employees are expecting a higher fitment factor from the 8th Pay Commission that can help their payouts beat inflation. Here, we take you through the minimum and maximum basic salaries of central government employees from the 1st to 7th Pay Commission.

The 1st Pay Commission, implemented on April 1, 1946, recommended a minimum monthly basic salary of Rs 55 and a maximum of Rs 2,000.

The 2nd Pay Commission, implemented on July 1, 1959, approved a minimum monthly basic salary of Rs 80 and a maximum of Rs 2,250.

The 3rd Pay Commission, implemented on January 1, 1973, recommended a minimum monthly salary of Rs 185 and a maximum of Rs 3,500.

The 4th Pay Commission, implemented on January 1, 1986, recommended a minimum salary of Rs 750 and maximum of Rs 9,000.

The 5th Pay Commission, implemented on January 1, 1996, introduced a fitment factor of 2.54 for revising salaries of central government employees. Under its recommendations, the minimum monthly salary was fixed at Rs 2,550, while the maximum salary was set at Rs 26,000.

The 6th Pay Commission, implemented on January 1, 2006, introduced a fitment factor of 1.86 for revising the salaries of central government employees. The minimum monthly salary was fixed at Rs 7,000, while the maximum salary was set at Rs 80,000.

The 7th Pay Commission, implemented on January 1, 2016, introduced a fitment factor of 2.57 times for revising salaries of central government employees. The minimum monthly salary was fixed at Rs 18,000, while the maximum salary was set at Rs 2,50,000.

It will be known once the report of the 8th Pay Commission is approved and implemented. Some experts believe a 2.15 fitment factor can be applied. Others opine that the government may implement a 2.57 fitment factor. Once the government decides on the fitment factor, the quantum of the minimum and maximum basic pays will be known.