Central government employees across India are eagerly awaiting clarity on the 8th Pay Commission, as expectations around salary revisions continue to grow. Adding momentum to these demands, employee associations have now stepped up their efforts, calling for a significant increase in both the fitment factor and annual increments. The latest proposal comes from the Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO), which has submitted a detailed recommendation seeking far-reaching changes in the upcoming pay commission.

According to FNPO, the current salary structure no longer adequately reflects rising inflation, increased workloads, and the evolving responsibilities of central government employees. In its proposal, the federation has demanded that the fitment factor be raised from the expected 3.0 level to as high as 3.25, along with an increase in the annual increment rate from 3% to 5%.

What Is the Fitment Factor and Why Does It Matter?

The fitment factor is a crucial multiplier used to revise basic salaries under a new pay commission. It directly determines how much an employee’s basic pay will increase. Even a small change in this factor can result in a substantial difference in monthly salary and long-term earnings.

FNPO has argued that earlier pay commissions did not apply a uniform fitment factor across all employee categories. Instead, pay revisions were linked to job roles, responsibilities, and hierarchical levels. Based on this logic, the federation has proposed different fitment factors for different pay levels under the 8th Pay Commission.

Proposed Fitment Factor by Pay Level

According to FNPO’s recommendations:

• Level 1 to Level 5 (Group C and D employees):
  A fitment factor of 3.0 has been proposed. The federation believes these employees have been most affected by inflation and declining real wages.

• Level 6 to Level 12 (Middle-level employees):
  A slightly higher range of 3.05 to 3.10 has been suggested, considering their supervisory roles and technical responsibilities.

• Level 13 to Level 15 (Senior officers):
  For these positions, FNPO has proposed a factor between 3.05 and 3.15, aiming to maintain balance in the pay matrix.

• Level 16 and above (Top-level officials):
  The highest proposed fitment factor of 3.25 has been recommended for top administrative roles.

How Much Could Salaries Increase?

To illustrate the potential impact, FNPO has shared salary examples. If a Level 1 employee currently earns a basic pay of ₹18,000, applying a fitment factor of 3.0 could raise it to ₹54,000 under the 8th Pay Commission.

At the top end, salaries could see a dramatic jump as well. For example, a Cabinet Secretary-level official, whose current basic pay is around ₹2.5 lakh, could see it increase to over ₹8 lakh, depending on the final fitment factor approved.

Demand for 5% Annual Increment

Another major demand raised by FNPO is an increase in the annual increment rate from the existing 3% to 5%. The federation has stated that the current increment structure fails to keep pace with inflation and rising living costs, resulting in limited real income growth for employees over time.

According to employee unions, a higher annual increment would not only improve financial stability but also boost morale and motivation across government services.

Key Meeting Scheduled on February 25

FNPO has submitted its detailed proposal—spanning nearly 60 pages—to the National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM – Staff Side). The document covers a wide range of issues, including pay structure, pay matrix, allowances, promotions, and increments.

After gathering inputs from various central employee organizations, a crucial JCM meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2026. Members of the draft committee will participate in this meeting to finalize recommendations. The consolidated proposal will then be submitted to the Chairperson of the 8th Pay Commission.

Importantly, these demands are not limited to postal employees alone. The final draft is expected to include concerns and suggestions from railway employees and other central government staff as well.

What Lies Ahead for Central Government Employees?

While the government has not yet officially announced the formation or timeline of the 8th Pay Commission, growing pressure from employee unions indicates that salary revisions will remain a key issue in the coming months. If accepted, the proposed changes could bring one of the most substantial pay hikes in recent years.

For now, central government employees continue to wait, hopeful that their demands for fair wages, higher increments, and a revised fitment factor will translate into concrete policy decisions under the 8th Pay Commission.