8th Pay Commission News: NC-JCM Staff Side Proposes Merger of Key Pay Scales and Fitment Factor of 3.83
The Staff Side of the NC-JCM submitted a memorandum to the 8th Central Pay Commission, proposing a fitment factor of 3.833 to lift the minimum central government basic pay to INR 69,000. The panel recommended streamlining the existing 17 pay levels into a consolidated matrix by merging adjacent grades with overlapping operational duties.
The Staff Side of the National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) has submitted an official memorandum to the 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC) proposing a substantial consolidation of existing central government salary structures. The representative body has recommended merging multiple operational pay scales alongside the application of a uniform 3.833 fitment factor, which would effectively elevate the minimum entry-level basic salary for central government employees to INR 69,000.
Proposed Mergers of Existing Pay Levels
The core structural change detailed in the memorandum involves consolidating the existing 17 pay levels down to a streamlined set of standardised bands. The Staff Side has formally requested the amalgamation of several adjacent pay grades where operational duties frequently overlap. 8th Pay Commission Meeting in Hyderabad: What Central Govt Employees Should Know.
The proposed realignments include:
- Levels 2 and 3: Consolidating both categories into a single unified scale under Level 3.
- Levels 4 and 5: Merging these tiers into a solitary pay scale designated as Level 5.
- Levels 7 and 8: Integrating these segments into a single band at Level 8.
- Levels 9 and 10: Merging these administrative brackets into a unified Level 10.
Additionally, the council has requested that the existing Level 5 be permanently merged into Level 6 as a one-time structural corrective measure. Meanwhile, higher-tier managerial categories spanning from Pay Scales 7 to 13 (comprising the current Levels 11 through 17) will be retained and renumbered, utilising the same adjusted fitment calculation.
Anticipated Salary Impact and Fitment Adjustments
If accepted, the application of the proposed 3.833 fitment factor will significantly revise the basic pay minimums across the newly configured levels. Below is an overview of the projected baseline salary impacts as outlined in the NC-JCM memorandum:
| Proposed Pay Scale | Corresponding Existing Matrix | Current Pay Range | Proposed Minimum Pay (With 3.833 Fitment) |
| Pay Scale 1 | Existing Level 1 | INR 18,000 - INR 56,900 | INR 69,000 |
| Pay Scale 2 | Merged Levels 2 & 3 | INR 21,700 - INR 69,100 | INR 83,200 |
| Pay Scale 3 | Merged Levels 4 & 5 | INR 29,200 - INR 92,300 | INR 1,12,000 |
| Pay Scale 4 | Existing Level 6 | INR 35,400 - INR 1,12,400 | INR 1,35,700 |
| Pay Scale 5 | Merged Levels 7 & 8 | INR 47,600 - INR 1,51,100 | INR 1,82,500 |
| Pay Scale 6 | Merged Levels 9 & 10 | INR 56,100 - INR 1,77,500 | INR 2,15,100 |
Next Steps in the Evaluation Process
It remains important to note that these figures represent stakeholder recommendations and have not yet been approved or instituted by the 8th Central Pay Commission. The Pay Commission is currently in its initial consultation phase, actively receiving structured feedback, formulas, and memorandums from various recognised employees' unions, defense federations, and pensioners' welfare bodies. 8th Pay Commission: Employees Seek Pension Equal to 50% of Final Salary Plus DA.
A final decision regarding the revised pay matrix and the official fitment factor will only materialise once the commission submits its formal report to the Union Cabinet, an administrative process that analysts suggest may take several months to conclude.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 17, 2026 09:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
