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8th Pay Commission News: The DA reaching 60% is not just a number, but a signal indicating the direction of the 8th Pay Commission. A fitment factor less than 1.60 seems impossible, and if there are delays, this figure could shift to 1.80-1.92. The real game will now be determined by time and inflation.

8th Pay Commission News: The biggest question regarding the 8th Pay Commission for central government employees is: What will the new fitment factor be? Now, after the release of the December 2025 CPI-IW figures and the DA crossing 60%, the mathematical basis for this question has become clear.

Why has the discussion on the fitment factor intensified after the DA reached 60%?

Because in any new pay commission, a new pay structure cannot be created without merging the old DA into the basic pay.

How was the 60% DA finalized?

The Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) figure for December 2025 was 148.2. This data is released monthly by the Labour Bureau and forms the basis for determining the DA.

By November 2025, the DA had reached 59.94%. With the December figure, the DA calculation reached 60.35%, which will be considered 60% for payment purposes. The government usually rounds off the DA before implementing it, so this is now considered the final DA – even though the formal announcement may come in March 2026.

What is the direct relationship between DA and the fitment factor?

This is where the real story begins.

At the beginning of every pay commission:

Existing Basic Salary = 1
DA accumulated over the years = Compensation for inflation
During the 7th Pay Commission, the DA continuously increased over nearly a decade and has now reached 60%. Simply put:

If an employee's basic salary was 100 at the beginning of the 7th Pay Commission,
then today, after adding DA (Dearness Allowance), the same salary has become equivalent to 160.
This means that if the new fitment factor is less than 1.60, the previous inflation will not be compensated.

Minimum basis for the fitment factor derived from DA:

• CPI-IW (Dec 2025): 148.2
• Total DA (Jan 2026): 60%
• Salary Index including DA: 1.60
• Potential minimum fitment factor: 1.60 (Floor Level)

Will 1.60 be the final fitment factor?

Answer: No.

1.60 is only the minimum basis, not the final figure.

What will be the impact of the delay in the 8th Pay Commission?

Even if the 8th Pay Commission is considered effective from January 2026, it is almost impossible for its recommendations to be implemented immediately. Past experience shows that it takes 18-24 months for a pay commission to submit its report. During this period, the DA continues to increase. If 3-4 installments of DA are added in 2026-27 and 2027, the DA could reach 72% to 76%.

Based on this calculation:

The fitment factor becomes 1.72 to 1.76

And in the traditional pay structure, a buffer of 12-16 points is added to this.

This is why experts consider a range between 1.80 and 1.92 to be more realistic.

What do the old pay commissions indicate?

History also tells the same story.

6th Pay Commission

• Fitment Factor: 1.86
• Minimum Basic: ₹7,000
• Maximum Basic: ₹80,000

7th Pay Commission

• Fitment Factor: 2.57
• Minimum Basic: ₹18,000
• Maximum Basic: ₹2.5 lakh

The 7th Pay Commission gave the biggest salary jump till date. This is why expectations are high regarding the 8th Pay Commission, but repeating the 2.57 factor is considered difficult.

Pay Commission	Fitment Factor	Minimum Basic Pay
6th CPC	1.86x	₹7,000
7th CPC	2.57x	₹18,000
8th CPC (Expected)	1.92x–2.08x	₹34,560–₹37,440

What factors will determine the fitment factor?

DA is a major factor, but not the only one.

The government will consider these points:

Central government's financial situation
Fiscal burden from salary increases
Pay balance across different services
Employee demands and morale
Economic growth and future inflation trends
The final fitment factor will be determined by balancing all these factors.

Why is this discussion so important?

Because the fitment factor:

Determines your entire basic salary.
DA, HRA, pension, and gratuity are added to it.
Once decided, it remains the basis for 10 years.
This means it's not just about salary, but about your entire career earnings.

7th Pay Commission vs. 8th Pay Commission Salary

Pay Level	7th Pay Commission (Basic Pay)	8th Pay Commission (1.92 Fitment Factor)
Level 1	₹18,000	₹34,560
Level 2	₹19,900	₹38,208
Level 3	₹21,700	₹41,664
Level 4	₹25,500	₹48,960
Level 5	₹29,200	₹56,064
Level 6	₹35,400	₹67,968
Level 7	₹44,900	₹86,208
Level 8	₹47,600	₹91,392
Level 9	₹53,100	₹1,01,952
Level 10	₹56,100	₹1,07,712

What this means for you

• If you are an employee - you can get an idea of ​​your new basic salary.
• If you are a pensioner - the direction of the pension structure becomes clear.
• If you are planning for retirement - long-term calculations become easier.
• If you are keeping an eye on the 8th Pay Commission - this is the most concrete indicator.

What could change next?

• Formal approval of DA in March 2026
• Next DA calculation from July 2026
• Government indications regarding the 8th Pay Commission
• Increased demands from employee organizations
• There is also a nationwide strike by unions on February 12th regarding this matter.

What could change next?

• Formal approval of DA in March 2026
• Next DA calculation from July 2026
• Government indications regarding the 8th Pay Commission
• Increased demands from employee organizations
• There is also a nationwide strike by unions on February 12th regarding this matter.

What to do now?

Estimate your salary using 1.60 as the floor value.
Keep alternative calculations in the 1.80-1.92 range.
Keep an eye on the DA trend.

Finally, the important point:

DA reaching 60% is not just a number, but an indicator pointing towards the direction of the 8th Pay Commission. A fitment factor lower than 1.60 seems unlikely, and if there are delays, this figure could shift to 1.80-1.92. The real game will now be decided by time and inflation.

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