India's 8th Pay Commission proposes up to 400% salary hikes for senior staff

The Indian government’s 8th Pay Commission has received a proposal from the Indian Railway Technical Supervisors’ Association (IRTSA) to replace the single fitment factor with five separate factors for different pay levels. The suggested factors are 2.92 for Levels 1‑5, 3.50 for Levels 6‑8, 3.80 for Levels 9‑12, 4.09 for Levels 13‑16 and 4.38 for Levels 17‑18, which could raise senior employees’ basic pay by more than 400 percent.

Alongside the salary revision, unions are pressing for a “pension choice” that would give central government employees covered by the National Pension System (NPS) an option to revert to or reinforce the Old Pension Scheme. Other demands include a separate pay structure for technical railway staff, faster promotions, a 5 % annual increment and merging 50 % of Dearness Allowance into the basic pay before revisions. The proposals are under discussion and could be finalized within two to four months, though no official notification has been issued. Over 110 crore beneficiaries – central government employees, pensioners and their families – could be affected if the recommendations are adopted.