8th Pay Commission: The Union Cabinet has recently made a significant decision aimed at enhancing the welfare of central employees by approving the establishment of the 8th Pay Commission. This initiative is designed to reassess the salaries of central government workers and the allowances for pensioners, as the term of the 7th Pay Commission is set to conclude in 2026.
Positively impact over 4.9 million central government employees
This development is expected to positively impact over 4.9 million central government employees and approximately 6.5 million pensioners. The government has indicated that the new Pay Commission will be operational by 2025, ensuring that its recommendations are available before the current commission’s term ends.
7th Pay Commission
Since 1947, the government has established seven pay commissions, which are crucial in determining the salary structure, benefits, and allowances for government personnel. The most recent, the 7th Pay Commission, was formed in 2014, with its recommendations taking effect on January 1, 2016.
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
According to the forthcoming pay commission’s recommendations, the House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be adjusted based on the increase in Dearness Allowance (DA). For instance, employees residing in Type X cities could see a 30% increase in their basic salary, while those in Type Y cities may receive a 20% increase, and those in Type Z cities a 10% increase. To illustrate, if an employee’s basic salary is Rs 35,000, the DA would rise by Rs 10,500 in a Type X city, Rs 7,000 in a Type Y city, and Rs 3,500 in a Type Z city.
Fitment factor and pay scale
When determining the fitment factor, the Pay Commission will first evaluate the existing pay scales and allowances for government employees before establishing a multiplier.