8th Pay Commission: Levels 1-5 Staff May See Rs 3-9 Lakh Arrears
The central government is now finalizing the 8th Pay Commission (CPC) structure. Specifically, this move will likely give staff in Levels 1 to 5 large cash payouts. Therefore, these employees could see arrears between Rs 3.60 lakh and Rs 9.17 lakh. Now, the Union Cabinet must pick a “fitment factor” to set the final salary jump.
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January 2026 Marks the Pay Shift
Meanwhile, the new pay rates officially start on January 1, 2026. Since the rollout takes time, the government must pay for the delay. Actually, these arrears cover the gap in basic pay and Dearness Allowance (DA). Still, the cash offers a massive boost for 50 lakh staff and 68 lakh retirees. Currently, the Ministry expects a smooth transition once the commission releases its final report.
Fitment Factors Drive the Arrears
Since the fitment factor works as a multiplier, small changes shift the total. Now, experts highlight two main paths for a 20-month wait period:
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Level 1: A 2.0 factor yields Rs 3.60 lakh. A 2.57 factor yields Rs 5.65 lakh.
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Level 5: A 2.0 factor yields Rs 5.84 lakh. A 2.57 factor yields Rs 9.17 lakh.
Actually, if the government selects a 2.57 multiplier, a Level 5 worker gets nearly Rs 9.2 lakh. Therefore, unions demand a high factor to help staff manage rising costs.
What the Arrears Do Not Cover
Meanwhile, the government will not back-date every part of the paycheck. Specifically, officials only pay House Rent (HRA) and Transport (TA) perks from the day the new rules go live. In fact, these allowances rarely form part of an arrears check. Still, merging the 60% DA into the basic pay ensures a bigger monthly check for everyone.
Data Density: The 2026 CPC Benchmarks
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Jan 1, 2026: The date the new pay scales legally begin.
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Rs 3.60 Lakh: The lowest projected arrear for Level 1.
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Rs 9.17 Lakh: The highest projected arrear for Level 5.
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2.0 to 2.86: The fitment range that officials are weighing.
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20 Months: The delay time that experts use for these models.
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60%: The DA rate that the government will merge into pay.
What’s Next First, unions will meet on February 25 to finalize their list of demands. Then, the Cabinet will appoint the formal Commission members in March. Since the work takes time, staff will likely see the money in their accounts by late 2027, officials said.
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