At present, the eyes of lakhs of central government employees and pensioners are completely focused on the 8th Central Pay Commission. Crores of central employees of the country are eagerly waiting to know how much there will be a bumper increase in their basic salary after the formation of the new Pay Commission and its recommendations. According to the estimates of various employee unions and experts, this time there is a strong possibility of the minimum basic pay being Rs 30,000 or even more. This increase in salary will be completely decided on the formula of Fitment Factor, about which there is a lot of discussion everywhere.
Journey of 80 years: Minimum basic salary started from Rs 55 to Rs 18,000
Do you know how big and historic a change has taken place in the salary structure of government employees ever since the formation of the Pay Commission in India? The entire journey of the minimum basic salary which starts at Rs 18,000 today, started about 80 years ago with just Rs 55 per month. From time to time, various pay commissions constituted in the country made amendments in the pay scales of government employees keeping in mind the economic condition of the country and inflation, due to which a huge increase in the minimum basic pay has been recorded continuously.
A look at the history of all pay commissions
Since India’s independence, seven pay commissions have submitted their reports and fixed the salaries of employees:
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First Pay Commission (1946-47): During this period, the minimum basic pay was fixed at only Rs 55 and the maximum at Rs 2,000.
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Second Pay Commission (1957-59): After the recommendations of this commission, the minimum basic pay was increased to Rs 80 and maximum to Rs 3,000.
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Third Pay Commission (1972-73): In this, the minimum basic pay was increased to Rs 196 and maximum to Rs 3,500.
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Fourth Pay Commission (1983-86): After the implementation of this commission, there was a big jump in the minimum wage and it reached Rs 750 and maximum Rs 8,000.
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Fifth Pay Commission (1994-97): Under this, the minimum basic salary was fixed at Rs 2,550 and maximum at Rs 26,000.
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Sixth Pay Commission (2006-08): After the implementation of this Commission, the minimum basic pay directly jumped to Rs 7,000 and the maximum to Rs 80,000.
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Seventh Pay Commission (2014-16): Under the currently implemented Seventh Pay Commission, the minimum basic salary has been fixed at Rs 18,000 and maximum at Rs 2.25 lakh (whereas for Cabinet Secretary it is Rs 2.50 lakh).
When will the 8th Pay Commission be implemented and what can be the new basic salary?
As per the rules and in principle, the 8th Central Pay Commission is being considered effective from January 1, 2026, however, the last date of its implementation at the ground level and the increased salary coming into the accounts of the employees will depend on when the Commission submits its official report to the government and when it is approved by the Union Cabinet. Currently the minimum basic pay under the 7th Pay Commission is Rs 18,000, but if the fitment factor is kept better in the 8th Pay Commission, the minimum basic pay will easily cross the Rs 30,000 mark.
Probable Fitment Factor and Estimated Salary Maths
According to experts and various approximate calculations, if the fitment factor of 1.92 is applied then the minimum basic pay may increase to around Rs 34,560. At the same time, if it is increased to 2.28 then it can reach around Rs 41,040. Moreover, this amount is also possible to be around Rs 46,260 at a fitment factor of 2.57 and around Rs 51,480 at a higher factor of 2.86. However, all these figures are currently based on speculations and probable mathematics, and the actual salary situation will be completely clear only after the final report of the 8th Pay Commission comes.