By Central 8th Pay Commission Admin
It’s Official: January 1, 2026—The 8th Pay Commission Term Starts Now for 1.1 Crore Beneficiaries
Updated: January 1, 2026 | 07:30 IST
Following the expiration of the 7th Pay Commission at midnight, the focus now shifts to the implementation of revised pay scales for over 48.62 lakh employees and 67.85 lakh pensioners. Although the final recommendations may not be disbursed until mid-2027 or early 2028, the government has confirmed that the changes will apply retrospectively from today.
The 2026 Fitment Factor: What is your New Basic Pay?
The most debated topic this morning is the Fitment Factor—the multiplier used to decide your revised basic pay. While earlier expectations leaned toward 2.86, current assessments suggest a more balanced range between 2.15 and 2.86. A fitment factor of 2.15 could see the minimum basic pay rise from ₹18,000 to approximately ₹38,700, while a 2.86 factor would push it past ₹51,000.
Estimate Your Hike Instantly!
Don’t wait for the official notification to see your potential future earnings. Use our custom-built tool to calculate your projected basic pay, HRA, and total gross salary under the 8th CPC.
Key Milestones for 2026
As the “8th CPC Year” kicks off, here is the projected timeline for the coming months:
| Expected Event | Projected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Official 8th CPC Effective Date | January 1, 2026 (Started) |
| Commission Report Submission | Late 2026 or Mid-2027 |
| Cabinet Review & Approval | Early to Mid 2027 |
| Disbursement of Revised Pay & Arrears | FY 2027-28 |
A Big Day for Pensioners Too
For our senior citizens, the 8th Pay Commission is set to revise the minimum pension, which currently stands at ₹9,000. Depending on the final fitment factor, the minimum pension could increase to approximately ₹20,500 to ₹25,740. Additionally, the reset of Dearness Relief (DR) to zero will follow once the new structures are implemented later this year.