8th Pay Commission Calculator – Expected Salary Structure & Hike (2026)

The 8th Pay Commission (8th CPC) is one of the most anticipated reforms for Central Government employees in India. It is expected to redefine salary structures, merge Dearness Allowance (DA) into Basic Pay, and introduce a new fitment factor that directly impacts monthly in-hand salary, allowances, and arrears.

While the Government of India has not officially notified the 8th Pay Commission yet, salary projections can be reasonably estimated by analyzing trends from previous pay commissions such as the 6th and 7th CPC.

What Is the 8th Pay Commission?

The Pay Commission is a government-appointed body that reviews and recommends changes to the salary structure of central government employees, defence personnel, and pensioners. The 8th Pay Commission will succeed the 7th CPC, which was implemented in 2016.

Historically, every Pay Commission brings:

Revision of Basic Pay
Merging of DA into Basic
New fitment factor
Changes in HRA and Transport Allowance
Increase in pensions and retirement benefits

Expected Fitment Factor in 8th Pay Commission

The fitment factor is the multiplier applied to existing basic pay to arrive at the new revised basic salary. In the 7th CPC, the fitment factor was 2.57x.

Experts and employee unions have suggested that the 8th CPC fitment factor could range between:

1.92x – Conservative estimate
2.57x – Moderate / standard scenario
3.25x to 3.68x – High demand scenario

A higher fitment factor means a significantly higher basic pay, which also increases allowances and retirement benefits.

How Salary Is Calculated After 8th CPC

The revised salary after the 8th Pay Commission is generally calculated using the following formula:

New Basic Pay = Current Basic Pay × Fitment Factor

Once DA is merged into Basic Pay, allowances such as HRA and Transport Allowance are recalculated on the new basic.

Dearness Allowance (DA) Merger Explained

Dearness Allowance is paid to offset inflation. At the time of implementation of a new Pay Commission, DA is usually merged into the Basic Pay. If DA reaches around 60%+ by the time 8th CPC is implemented, the entire DA amount is merged and reset to zero.

HRA Rules Under 8th Pay Commission

House Rent Allowance (HRA) is expected to reset to base rates after the 8th CPC:

X Class Cities (Metro): 24%
Y Class Cities: 16%
Z Class Cities: 8%

7th CPC vs 8th CPC – Salary Comparison

Compared to the 7th CPC, the 8th CPC is expected to bring:

Higher basic pay
Better retirement benefits
Improved purchasing power
Higher pension for retirees

Open 8th Pay Commission Calculator

Check your precise salary estimate

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When will the 8th Pay Commission be implemented? Traditionally, Pay Commissions are implemented every 10 years. Since the 7th CPC was implemented on January 1, 2016, the 8th CPC is expected to be effective from January 1, 2026.

2. What will be the minimum salary after 8th Pay Commission? Currently, the minimum basic pay is ₹18,000 (Level 1). If the fitment factor is similar to the 7th CPC, the new minimum basic pay could rise to approximately ₹21,600 – ₹26,000.

3. Will DA be merged into Basic Pay? Yes. Historically, whenever a new Pay Commission is implemented, the existing Dearness Allowance (DA) is merged into the Basic Pay, and the DA counter is reset to 0%.

4. Will pensioners benefit from the 8th Pay Commission? Yes. The 8th Pay Commission recommendations will cover both serving Central Government employees and pensioners, leading to a revision in monthly pension and gratuity limits.

5. Is the 8th Pay Commission officially announced? No. The Government of India has not yet issued an official gazette notification constitutioning the commission. Current calculations are based on previous trends and economic data.

6. Who is eligible for 8th CPC benefits? It primarily covers Central Government employees (Railways, Defense, Postal, etc.) and pensioners. State governments typically adopt similar structures shortly after the Central implementation.

Disclaimer: This page provides informational projections only. Final salary figures depend on official Government of India notifications.