8th Pay Commission: Delhi Consultations Conclude With IRTSA Push For Rs 52,600 Minimum Pay

The 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) is in the final stages of formulation. Set up by the government, the Pay Commission has been tasked to review and revise the pay structures of government employees, and has accordingly invited associations, unions and other stakeholders to present their views, opinions and suggestions regarding the upcoming pay structure. At present, the CPC has completed nearly one-third of the timeline set. The process is unfolding steadily, as the outcome of the 8th CPC is wide-ranging and sensitive. The Pay Commission’s recommendations also depend on various internal and external matters of the committee.

What Are The New Updates?

One of the key proposals that emerged from the conclusion of the consultations in New Delhi was from the Indian Railway Technical Supervisors’ Association (IRTSA), which has sought the minimum basic pay of Rs 52,600 under the upcoming 8th Pay structure. The body also asked for multiple fitment factors based on different pay levels rather than just applying a single multiplier for all.

According to a report by Livemint, IRTSA proposed a minimum pay of Rs 52,600, which is based on the revised calculation of minimum living expenses. The association has proposed a 2.92 fitment factor of up to Level 5, with higher factors for employees in high pay levels.

The Railway body argued that the calculation should account for expenses, such as food, clothing, housing, healthcare and education. It has also proposed accounting for a family consumption unit higher than that under the 7th Pay Commission framework. The association proposed the basic pay as the starting point for revision for the 7th Pay Commission.

The association also proposed a 2.92 factor for lower pay levels, while seeking progressively higher factors for employees in Levels 6-8 and beyond. Its argument is that a uniform fitment factor could fail to adequately account for differences in qualifications, responsibilities, technical expertise and working conditions across cadres.

What Are The Previous Updates?

The 8th CPC had begun with a two-day stakeholder consultation in Kolkata on July 9-10, 2026. This marked the new phase of its nationwide outreach meetings after the Odisha meetings. The Commission has held discussions with central government employee unions, pensioner associations and government institutions to gather feedback on updates like fitment factor, basic pay, pension revisions, allowances and house rent allowance (HRA).

Employee unions have placed a fresh set of demands for the 8th CPC. They are seeking significant changes to the benefit of career progression, pay structure and even retirement benefits for central government employees and pensioners. The proposals were presented by the representatives of the National Council (Staff Side) of the Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM), with the aim of acknowledging stagnation in service and aligning compensation with rising living costs.