8th Pay Commission 2026: What to Expect in Salary Hike, Fitment Factor & DA Merger?
The 8th Pay Commission is expected to bring some major changes to the salary structure of central government employees in India. Although it will officially be implemented from 1st January 2026, many employees are already eager to know what kind of salary hike they can expect, and how factors like fitment factor and Dearness Allowance (DA) merger will influence their new pay.
Let’s break it down in a simple way.
.jpg)
What is the Fitment Factor?
Think of the fitment factor as a multiplier. When a new pay commission is introduced, this multiplier is used to revise the existing basic pay. It helps standardize the salary hike across different levels of employees.
For example, if your basic pay is ₹18,000 and the fitment factor is 2.57 (like it was during the 7th Pay Commission), your revised pay becomes:
₹18,000 × 2.57 = ₹46,260 (before adding other allowances)
Historical Table of Fitment Factors and Pay Hikes
Let’s look at how previous pay commissions have increased salaries over the years:
| Pay Commission | Fitment Factor | % Increase in Minimum Pay | Minimum Basic Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd CPC | Not specified | 14.2% | 70 |
| 3rd CPC | Not specified | 20.6% | 196 |
| 4th CPC | Not specified | 27.6% | 750 |
| 5th CPC | Not specified | 31.0% | 2,550 |
| 6th CPC | 1.86 | 54.0% | 7,000 |
| 7th CPC | 2.57 | 14.3% | 18,000 |
You can notice that while the fitment factor may be higher, it doesn’t always mean a massive salary hike in percentage terms. It depends on how the government decides to adjust allowances and merge existing benefits.
What is DA (Dearness Allowance) and Why is it Merged?
DA is paid to government employees to offset inflation. It keeps changing every 6 months based on the cost of living index. Over time, DA becomes a big part of the total salary.
When a new pay commission is implemented, the DA is merged into the basic salary to create a new base for further calculations.
Example:
Suppose the current basic pay is ₹18,000, and DA has reached 70%, then:
- DA = ₹18,000 × 70% = ₹12,600
- Total before revision = ₹18,000 + ₹12,600 = ₹30,600
If the 8th Pay Commission uses a fitment factor of 2.28 (estimated), then:
- Revised Pay = ₹18,000 × 2.28 = ₹41,040
So the new basic salary may go up to ₹41,000 or more, depending on final recommendations.
Projected Salary Under 8th Pay Commission
| Component | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Current Basic Pay | 18,000 |
| DA (70% of basic) | 12,600 |
| Total Before Revision | 30,600 |
| Fitment Factor (2.28 est.) | ~41,000 |
This is just a projected calculation. The final salary can be different based on what fitment factor the government finally approves.
Why Doesn’t Salary Always Double?
Many employees feel disappointed when they hear about the new pay commission because they expect their salaries to double or triple. But here’s the thing:
- Fitment factor includes merged DA.
- Basic pay may rise, but allowances might be restructured, like HRA, TA, and medical benefits.
- Tax deductions and PF contributions also rise with increased pay.
So while the gross salary might increase nicely, the take-home pay may not feel like a massive jump.
What to Expect in 2026?
Here’s what we know so far:
- The 8th Pay Commission may be announced in late 2025 or early 2026.
- DA will likely be merged, as always.
- Fitment factor may range between 2.28 to 2.86, depending on inflation and economy.
- Minimum salary may increase from ₹18,000 to around ₹41,000+.
8th Pay Commission Salary Calculator
✅ Step 1: Know Your Current Basic Pay
Let’s say your current basic pay = ₹18,000
✅ Step 2: Estimate DA (if not merged already)
DA Rate (as of 2025) = 50% to 70% (example: 60%)
DA = Basic Pay × DA Rate
DA = ₹18,000 × 60% = ₹10,800
✅ Step 3: Add Basic Pay + DA (optional)
If the DA is to be merged into your basic for 8th CPC:
Total = ₹18,000 + ₹10,800 = ₹28,800
✅ Step 4: Apply Expected Fitment Factor
Estimated Fitment Factor = 2.28 to 2.86
Let’s take 2.5 as an example:
Revised Basic Pay = ₹18,000 × 2.5 = ₹45,000
Final Result Example Table
Current Basic Pay (₹) Fitment Factor Revised Basic Pay (₹) 18,000 2.28 41,040 18,000 2.5 45,000 18,000 2.86 51,480 25,000 2.5 62,500 30,000 2.5 75,000
| Current Basic Pay (₹) | Fitment Factor | Revised Basic Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 18,000 | 2.28 | 41,040 |
| 18,000 | 2.5 | 45,000 |
| 18,000 | 2.86 | 51,480 |
| 25,000 | 2.5 | 62,500 |
| 30,000 | 2.5 | 75,000 |
Final Thoughts
The 8th Pay Commission is going to be one of the biggest salary restructuring moves in India. Whether you’re in a clerical post or Group A officer, this will directly impact your pay scale, benefits, and financial future.
✅ Use our calculator
✅ Stay updated on announcements
✅ Get ready for a bigger paycheck
%20jkbopee.webp)
Please avoid spamming the comments section. All comments are reviewed by the admin before being published. Your cooperation is appreciated!