The NC-JCM, which represents various Central government employees' and pensioners' associations and unions, has a key demand: to raise the minimum basic pay from ₹18,000 in the 7th Pay Commission to ₹69,000 in the 8th Pay Commission.

This represents a significant increase of 3.83 times, leading the NC-JCM Drafting Committee to demand a fitment factor of 3.833 for the 8th CPC.

A fitment factor is the multiplier of the salary and pension revisions.

Why 3.83 Fitment Factor?

In its recommendation for the minimum salary, the Drafting Committee mentions that the Indian Council of Medical Research recommends 3,490 kcal per month for physically demanding work. They calculated the money that would be needed to buy food that would provide 3,490 kilocalories to five people. Moreover, NC-JCM considered five family units for the 8th CPC, instead of the three mentioned in the 7th CPC.

The employees' unions have calculated the minimum pay for a worker based on the monthly cost of a food basket. The food basket includes protein sources, dairy, fruits, vegetables, spices and other things of daily use.

“NC-JCM’s work is to raise the voice of employees. The commission should take a detailed look at these demands and make an informed recommendation to the government,” an employees' union office-bearer said.

The pay commission is typically constituted once every 10 years to review and recommend changes in the salary structure, allowances, and pensions of government employees.

The 7th CPC was constituted in 2014, and its recommendations were implemented from 1 January 2016.

The Beneficiaries

There are an estimated 7.5 million Central government employees in the country, which includes defence personnel, the Railways, and public sector undertakings (PSUs). Moreover, about 69 lakh pensioners in the country are eagerly awaiting the 8th CPC’s recommendations.

Although the government has approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th CPC, its recommendations are yet to be submitted.

In November last year, the government asked the 8th CPC to submit its recommendation report within 18 months. Due to this delay, employees' bodies want the government to merge the Dearness Allowance (DA) with the basic pay.

Crucial Visits

Over the next few weeks, the 8th CPC will visit various states across the country to seek the opinion of various employees' associations, as part of its preparation for the final recommendations.  

As part of the first such visit, the 8th CPC members are scheduled to visit Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on April 24. Detailed discussions are likely to take place regarding the pay revision, during which the employees' bodies are expected to make their submissions before the members of the Commission.
   
These visits are likely to provide a vital platform for input, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered in the recommendations of the 8th CPC. The Commission has already launched an online portal for memoranda, with a deadline of 30 April 2026, and issued a questionnaire for structured inputs.