8th Pay Commission: 34% Salary Hike Likely With 2.57 Fitment Factor; How Much Income Will Increase?

Last Updated:April 02, 2026, 4:10 PM IST

th Pay Commission may recommend 2.57 fitment factor, salaries and pensions for 49 lakh staff and 68 lakh pensioners could rise about 34 percent from January 1 2026.

8th Pay Commission will replace 7th pay commission for the central government staff and pensioners.

The upcoming 8th Pay Commission could bring a major financial boost for nearly 49 lakh central government employees and 68 lakh pensioners. As per an NDTV report, the panel is considering a fitment factor of 2.57, which may translate into a significant jump in salaries and pensions.

As per an NDTV report, the 8th Pay Commission is likely to recommend a fitment factor of 2.57. This is a key multiplier used to revise the basic pay of government employees. If approved, it could lead to an average increase of around 34% in overall salary and allowances.

The same principle is expected to be applied to pensions as well. This aligns with past pay commissions where pension benefits are revised alongside salaries, ensuring relief for retirees too.

How Much Salary Can Increase?

Let’s break it down simply.

The fitment factor directly multiplies the existing basic pay:

If your current basic salary is Rs 18,000

With a fitment factor of 2.57

New basic salary = Rs 18,000 × 2.57 = Rs 46,260

This means a sharp jump in basic pay, which also increases allowances like DA, HRA, and others.

When Will You Get the Hike?

The 8th Pay Commission was set up in November 2025 with an 18-month timeline starting January 1, 2026.

Final recommendations are expected to be submitted around June 2027. The recommendations are expected to be implemented from January 1, 2026. This means employees and pensioners could receive arrears for the period before actual rollout.

If the proposed fitment factor is approved, this could be one of the biggest salary revisions in recent years. However, final figures will depend on government approval and financial considerations. For now, all eyes are on the 8th Pay Commission’s final report.

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