The central government has begun making arrangements for a major change which might put a smile on the face of crores of government employees and pensioners. Yes, the much-awaited 8th Pay Commission could now get functional on January 1, 2026, and if reports are true, it might raise salaries and pensions substantially.
Big Hike in Minimum Salary Anticipated
Sources cite that the government will have to accept a new fitment factor of 2.86. To put this into perspective, the 7th Pay Commission applied a fitment factor of 2.57. With the new factor, the basic minimum salary of central government staff might increase from ₹18,000 to ₹51,480. That is a huge leap which will percolate down to pay grades and departments.
Level-Wise Salary Estimates
Not all will receive an equal hike. Pay scale will be graded based on level and grade pay.
Employees at Level 3 are getting approximately ₹57,456. After revising their salary, it may rise to ₹74,845.
Level 6 employees, who take home ₹93,708 currently, may receive up to ₹1.2 lakh once the 8th Pay Commission kicks in.
Pension Hike May Surprise Many
The hikes in salary would not be limited to pay grades. Pensioners also have much to gain. Pensions would almost double or even triple, depending on the retiring grade they retired in and the ultimate fitment factor used.
For instance:
Retirees who receive ₹2,000 grade pay could see their pensions rise from ₹13,000 to ₹24,960 if a 1.92 fitment factor is used.
If a 2.28 fitment factor is used, they could get ₹27,040.
Pensioners currently getting ₹16,000 would have their amount rise to ₹30,720.
Grade Pay 2800 and 4200 – Overall Big Windfalls
Those who retired on the ₹2,800 grade pay would have their pension double to ₹30,140 from ₹15,700.
With a 2.28 fitment factor, it would rise to ₹32,656.
For Level 5 pensioners, their pension would rise to ₹43,264 (2.28 factor) and ₹39,936 (1.92 factor).
Retirees in Level 6, where a grade pay of ₹4,200 was given, can have their pension increased from ₹28,450 to ₹54,624 or even ₹59,176 if the upper factor is used.
What’s Next?
Until now, there has not been any official word on the real numbers, but there is an indication of a massive revision. If the 8th Pay Commission is implemented, it can potentially bring much-needed monetary relief and fresh hope for India’s government employees and pensioners. Now everyone waits for 2026.