The 8th Pay Commission has been a topic of discussion for the central government employees for a long time. Everyone wants to know how much their salary will increase and when will this new pay scale be implemented. But the recently revealed figures and information have poured some cold water on the expectations of the employees. If you are also thinking that your life will change with the 8th Pay Commission, then just wait and understand its reality. This article has brought the whole truth for you, which is not only reliable but will also answer your questions.

What is the truth of the 8th Pay Commission?

The central government approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission in January 2025, and it is expected that it will come into effect from January 1, 2026. Like the previous pay commissions, the employees were expecting a big increase this time too. But if experts and reports are to be believed, then there is not going to be any big jump in the salary this time. In the 7th Pay Commission, the fitment factor was 2.57, due to which the minimum salary increased from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000. This time the fitment factor is likely to be between 1.92 to 2.86, which means that the salary can increase by 20% to 35%. That is, the minimum basic salary can increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 34,560 to Rs 51,480. But this increase will not be the same for every employee, because it will depend on their salary level.

Why will the salary not increase more than expected?

Many employee organizations were demanding to increase the fitment factor to more than 3, so that the salary can increase by about 3 times. But the government has many aspects like the country's economic condition and inflation, which need to be kept in mind. Experts say that this time the government will adopt a balanced path, so that the employees get relief, but there is no heavy burden on the government treasury. The result is that while some employees were expecting almost double salary, now this increase may be limited to an average of Rs 14,000 to Rs 19,000 per month. This figure may be slightly higher for lower level employees, but it will not be that impressive at the top level.

What will happen to pensioners?

The 8th Pay Commission is important not only for employees but also for 65 lakh pensioners. If the fitment factor is fixed at 2.86, then the minimum pension can increase from Rs 9,000 to Rs 25,740. However, it is also clear that there will not be any big jump in pension either. The government may try to provide relief through changes in dearness allowance (DA) and other allowances, but overall pensioners will also have to keep their expectations a little low.

At present, the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission are being prepared, and they are expected to come out by the end of 2025. This commission will affect about 50 lakh central employees and 65 lakh pensioners. If you are waiting for this change, then it is important to understand that there will be an increase in salary and pension, but it may be less than you imagined. The focus of the government is to give relief to the employees from inflation, not to make them rich overnight. So, have expectations, but also keep an eye on the ground reality.