8th Pay Commission Salary Hike: How Much Could Basic Pay Rise Under 2.57 Fitment Factor?
If the 8th Pay Commission keeps the 7th CPC's 2.57 fitment factor, Level 1 basic pay could rise from INR 18,000 to INR 46,260. Check the level-wise salary projections, panel details and expected timeline.
If the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) retains the 2.57 fitment factor used by the 7th CPC, basic pay for more than 1 crore central government employees, defence personnel and pensioners would rise by roughly 2.57 times across every level of the pay matrix. Under this projection, the minimum basic pay at Level 1 would jump from INR 18,000 to about INR 46,260 per month, while the top-tier Level 18 basic would climb from INR 2,50,000 to INR 6,42,500. The projections come as the commission steps up stakeholder consultations across the country, with the fitment factor emerging as the most closely watched issue.
Level-Wise Salary Projection At 2.57 Fitment Factor
The table below compares basic pay across the 6th CPC, the 7th CPC and the projected 8th CPC at a 2.57 multiplier, based on Livemint calculations using central pay matrix scales.
| Pay Matrix Level | 6th CPC Basic Pay | 7th CPC Basic Pay (2.57 Factor) | Projected 8th CPC Pay (2.57 Factor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | INR 7,000 | INR 18,000 | INR 46,260 |
| Level 3 | INR 8,444 | INR 21,700 | INR 55,769 |
| Level 7 | INR 17,471 | INR 44,900 | INR 1,15,393 |
| Level 10 | INR 21,829 | INR 56,100 | INR 1,44,177 |
| Level 13 | INR 47,899 | INR 1,23,100 | INR 3,16,367 |
| Level 18 | INR 97,276 | INR 2,50,000 | INR 6,42,500 |
What Is The Fitment Factor?
The fitment factor is the multiplier used to convert an employee's existing basic pay into a revised basic salary under a new pay matrix. This revised figure then becomes the base for calculating dearness allowance, house rent allowance and retirement benefits. Under the 7th CPC, the 2.57 multiplier lifted the minimum basic pay from INR 7,000 to INR 18,000 per month. 8th Pay Commission: How Implementation Delays and Fitment Factors Could Impact Arrears for Level 6-8 Employees.
Unions Want A Higher Multiplier
Employee unions and federations have urged the panel to recommend a fitment factor anywhere between 1.83 and 3.83. Even a repeat of 2.57 would reshape pay across all grades, which is why the final number is being watched so closely.
Who Is On The 8th Pay Commission Panel?
The commission is headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. Former IAS officer Pankaj Jain is the Member-Secretary, and Professor Pulak Ghosh of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister is a Member. The panel will review pay scales, allowances, pension parity and promotion mechanics while balancing administrative efficiency with fiscal prudence. Regional meetings in hubs including Bengaluru and Mumbai will collect representations from employee associations and pensioner federations before recommendations are drafted. 8th Pay Commission News: NC-JCM and BPMS Demand up to INR 72,000 Minimum Basic Pay and 6% Annual Increments.
When Will The 8th CPC Be Implemented?
The commission was formally constituted in late 2025 and has an 18-month window to submit its report, which sets the outer deadline around May 2027. Initial announcements or draft recommendations could surface between February and April 2027.
After submission, the recommendations will need Union Cabinet review and notification. Going by past implementation schedules, rollout across ministries, railway divisions and defence establishments could take two to three years, pointing to full implementation between 2029 and 2030.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2026 12:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
