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From ₹55 to ₹18,000: How Minimum Basic Pay Changed Across 7 Pay Commissions

From ₹55 to ₹18,000: How Minimum Basic Pay Changed Across 7 Pay Commissions
8th Pay Commission: From ₹55 to ₹18,000, how minimum basic pay changed across 7 Pay Commissions · livemint.com

In India, a special group called the Pay Commission looks at salaries of government workers.

It happens roughly once every ten years.

The very first Pay Commission in 1946-47 set the lowest salary at only ₹55 a month.

By the time of the 7th Pay Commission, that lowest salary had grown to ₹18,000 a month.

Now, the 8th Pay Commission is working, and it is led by a judge named Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

This group is talking to workers and unions from many parts of India.

Some workers' groups are asking for the lowest salary to become much bigger, between ₹54,000 and ₹72,000 a month.

These are only requests, and the final answer depends on the commission and the government.

The commission's suggestions are expected to be ready by May or June 2027.

Until then, government employees and pensioners are waiting to hear about their future pay and pensions.

Key facts

Chairperson
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
Date of constitution
3 November 2025
Timeline
18 months to compile report
Minimum basic pay history
₹55 (1st) → ₹80 (2nd) → ₹196 (3rd) → ₹750 (4th) → ₹2,550 (5th) → ₹7,000 (6th) → ₹18,000 (7th)
Union demands
Fitment factor 3.0–4.0; proposed minimum pay ₹54,000–₹72,000
Previous fitment factors
1.86 (6th Pay Commission), 2.57 (7th Pay Commission)
Expected submission
May-June 2027 to the Union Cabinet

Sources

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