The formation and progress of the 8th Central Pay Commission has sparked major discussions among central government employees and pensioners. With the commission officially beginning its work and inviting suggestions from stakeholders, one of the biggest questions remains whether the new salary structure will follow the same fitment factor formula used in the previous commission.

The fitment factor is a key multiplier used to revise salaries and pensions. It determines how much the basic salary will increase when a new pay commission is implemented. Employees across departments are closely watching whether the expected 60% Dearness Allowance (DA) in 2026 will become the foundation for calculating the new pay scale.

What Is the Fitment Factor and Why It Matters

The fitment factor plays a crucial role in determining revised salaries. It is essentially a multiplication value applied to the existing basic salary to arrive at the new salary structure.

For example, in the 7th Central Pay Commission, the government used a fitment factor of 2.57. This resulted in a significant increase in minimum basic salary from ₹7,000 under the previous commission to ₹18,000 starting January 1, 2016.

This multiplier included adjustments for inflation and other financial factors, especially the Dearness Allowance component.

Could the Same Formula Be Used Again in the 8th Pay Commission?

As of now, there is no official confirmation on whether the same calculation method will be used. However, early estimates suggest that the Dearness Allowance could reach around 60% by January 1, 2026.

If the commission follows the same pattern as the previous pay commission, this 60% DA may become the base for calculating the new fitment factor.

This would directly influence:

• Revised minimum basic salary




• Pension revisions




• Overall pay structure for government employees

The final fitment factor will ultimately depend on economic conditions, inflation trends, and recommendations submitted to the commission.

How the 7th Pay Commission Determined Salary Increases

When the 7th Central Pay Commission was implemented in 2016, the Dearness Allowance was already at 125%. This DA percentage was merged into the new salary structure.

Here is how the calculation worked:

• Previous minimum salary: ₹7,000




• New minimum salary: ₹18,000




• Fitment factor applied: 2.57

Out of this multiplier, a significant portion accounted for inflation adjustment through DA. This ensured that employees received a realistic salary increase aligned with rising living costs.

This approach was applied uniformly to all central government employees.

Expected Impact of the 8th Pay Commission on Salaries

If the new commission uses a similar formula, the expected 60% Dearness Allowance in 2026 could serve as a benchmark for determining the new multiplier.

This means:

• Salaries may increase significantly




• Minimum basic pay could see a noticeable jump




• Pensioners may also benefit from revised pension calculations

However, it is important to understand that these are early projections. The commission will carefully analyze multiple economic factors before finalizing its recommendations.

Commission Has Started Work and Invited Suggestions

The 8th Central Pay Commission has already launched its official platform and invited suggestions from employees, pensioners, and organizations. This consultation process is essential to ensure fair and balanced salary revision.

The commission will evaluate:

• Inflation trends




• Economic growth




• Government financial capacity




• Employee welfare requirements

Only after detailed analysis will the commission submit its final recommendations to the government.

When Will the Final Salary Structure Be Announced?

The complete salary revision process takes time. After gathering feedback and conducting financial assessments, the commission will prepare its report.

Once the government approves the recommendations, the new pay structure will be implemented. Until then, discussions around the fitment factor and salary increase remain speculative.

Conclusion: Employees Await Major Salary Revision Decision

The progress of the 8th Central Pay Commission has raised expectations among millions of central government employees and pensioners. If the Dearness Allowance reaches 60% and is used as the calculation base, employees could see a meaningful rise in their salaries.

However, the final decision will depend on the commission’s official recommendations. Until then, employees are advised to wait for confirmed announcements rather than relying solely on projections.