KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- 8th Pay Commission set to roll out from 1 January 2026.
- Minimum basic pay may jump from ₹18,000 to ₹41,000.
- Fitment factor, DA merge, and new Pay Matrix to sharply impact salaries.
Salary calculator 8th pay commission: Central government employees have been waiting for this one big update — 8th Pay Commission is now officially in motion, and the expected salary hike is looking pretty solid. 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike
The commission’s recommendations will kick in from 1 January 2026, and early estimates suggest a big jump in basic pay, allowances, and pension. Let’s break down what really matters for you.
Summary Table (Quick Look)
| Category | Expected Update (8th CPC) |
|---|---|
| Implementation Date | 1 January 2026 |
| Expected Fitment Factor | 2.28 (some estimates peg 3.0 for calculations) |
| Minimum Basic Pay | From ₹18,000 to ₹41,000 |
| DA Projection | 70% by Jan 2026 (will be merged) |
| Beneficiaries | 48.62 lakh employees + 67.85 lakh pensioners |
| Pension Hike | Minimum pension may rise from ₹9,000 to ₹20,500+ |
| Pay Matrix | All levels revised with higher entry pay |
What Has the Government Announced?
The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has cleared the Terms of Reference for the 8th Central Pay Commission.
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The commission will review:
- Pay structure
- Pensions
- Allowances
- Service conditions
All this while balancing economic conditions and fiscal health. The report will be submitted within 18 months.
The 7th CPC closes on 31 December 2025, completing the 10-year cycle similar to previous commissions.
The Big Buzz: Fitment Factor & Salary Hike
One of the strongest indicators so far is the proposed Fitment Factor of 2.28, which will directly push up basic salaries.
Some internal calculations also suggest a 3.0 factor might be used for estimation tools.
Why does this matter?
Because this one number decides your new base salary — the starting point for HRA, DA, TA and more.
Minimum wage projection:
From ₹18,000 → ₹41,000
That’s a 34%+ jump, depending on your level.
Expected Benefits for Employees
Around 48.62 lakh central employees stand to benefit.
The new salary structure will include:
- Revised Basic Pay
- DA reset to zero, then recalculated
- Higher HRA slabs
- Updated Travel Allowances
Once DA touches 50%, allowances are usually revised — meaning long-term benefits.
8th Pay Commission Pension Update
Pensioners also get a solid boost here.
Minimum pension (₹9,000) under 7th CPC is likely to rise to ₹20,500–₹25,740.
Dearness Relief (DR) will be reset after the revised pension structure is applied.
The commission may also review:
- NPS structure
- Minimum guaranteed pension (expected: ₹10,000+)
- Faster disbursement systems
For many retirees, this is a massive relief in the current cost-of-living environment.
8th CPC Salary Structure: What Changes?
Basic Pay
Calculated using the revised fitment factor.
Dearness Allowance
DA will restart from zero and be calculated on new basic pay.
HRA
Expected to follow the standard structure:
- 27% for metro
- 20% for Tier-2 cities
- 10% for Tier-3 cities
TA
Will depend on level and city classification.
8th CPC Salary Calculator (Simple Guide)
Here’s the easiest way to estimate your new salary using the expected 3.0 fitment factor.
Step 1: Note your current basic pay.
Step 2: Multiply by 3.0
→ Revised Basic Pay
Step 3: Add expected DA (assume 50%)
DA = Revised Basic Pay × 0.50
Step 4: Add HRA
HRA = Revised Basic Pay × Applicable %
Step 5: Add TA, then subtract standard deduction.
Final output = Gross Salary per month.
This gives you a decent picture of what 2026 might look like for your pay slip.
Fitment Factor History (4th to 8th CPC)
| Pay Commission | Hike (%) | Fitment Factor | Minimum Basic Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th CPC | 27.6% | — | ₹750 |
| 5th CPC | 31% | — | ₹2,550 |
| 6th CPC | 54% | 1.86 | ₹7,000 |
| 7th CPC | 14.29% | 2.57 | ₹18,000 |
| 8th CPC (expected) | 20%+ | 3.00 | ₹21,600–₹41,000 (expected) |
Expected 8th CPC Pay Matrix (All Levels)
Below are some key levels and their projected salaries:
| Level | 7th CPC Basic | 8th CPC Expected Basic |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ₹18,000 | ₹21,600 |
| Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹23,880 |
| Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ₹26,040 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹30,600 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹35,040 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹42,480 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹53,880 |
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹57,120 |
| Level 9 | ₹53,100 | ₹63,720 |
| Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹67,320 |
| Level 11 | ₹67,700 | ₹81,240 |
| Level 12 | ₹78,800 | ₹94,560 |
| Level 13 | ₹1,23,100 | ₹1,47,720 |
| Level 13A | ₹1,31,100 | ₹1,57,320 |
| Level 14 | ₹1,44,200 | ₹1,73,040 |
| Level 15 | ₹1,82,200 | ₹2,18,400 |
| Level 16 | ₹2,05,400 | ₹2,46,480 |
| Level 17 | ₹2.25 lakh | ₹2.70 lakh |
| Level 18 | ₹2.50 lakh | ₹3 lakh |
