8th CPC Pay Hike Estimates for IAF Officers: How much Air Force employees may earn under 8th CPC? 37 fitment scenarios explained

8th CPC Salary Hike Estimates for Air Force Employees: The Indian Air Force defends the country's airspace from its enemies. It played a key role in Operation Sindoor in May, combating Pakistani forces by giving a befitting reply. As the 8th Pay Commission formation is underway, like many central govt employees, Air Force employees are also excited to see their basic pay rising significantly.

A fitment factor in the range of 2 to 2.5 can bring a notable jump to their monthly payouts.

Not just salary, but various allowances that they get may also be revised to a great extent.

But how their salaries may rise in the new pay commission.

What can be the revised salaries for Junior Warrant Officer (JWO), Warrant Officer, Master Warrant Officer, Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, and Air Commodore in the 8th CPC?

We present 37 scenarios to show revised estimated basis pays at fitment factors 1.92-2.28.  

Pay scale for Junior Warrant Officer and above

If we talk about the Indian Air Force, a Junior Warrant Officer (JWO) is the entry-level junior commissioned officer.

They are promoted to Warrant Officer, while Master Warrant Officer is the highest post for a JCO.

Here are the basic pay ranges for these JCOs in the 7th Pay Commission.

Junior Warrant Officer (JWO), Level 6, basic pay ₹35,400 – 94,100
Warrant Officer, Level 7, basic pay ₹44,900 – 94,100
Master Warrant Officer, Level 8, basic pay ₹47,600 – 94,100

Pay scale for Flying Officer to Air Commodore

Flying Officer is the starting-level rank for a commissioned officer in the Indian Air Force. A Flying Officer is a Level 10 officer according to the 7th Pay Commission (7th CPC) matrix. Similarly, a Group Captain is a Level 13 officer, while an Air Commodore holds a Level 13A. 

Flying Officer, Level 10, basic pay Rs 56,100-1,77,500
Flight Lieutenant, Level 10B, basic pay ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900
Squadron Leader, Level 11, basic pay ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200
Wing Commander, Level 12A, basic pay ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400
Group Captain, Level 13, basic pay ₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900
Air Commodore, Level 13A, basic pay ₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600

What can be fitment factor for 8th CPC?

The fitment factor will be known when the 8th Pay Commission prepares a report and Centre approves it.

However, experts and various estimates suggest that it can be in the range of 1.92-2.86.

For the 7th Pay Commission, the fitment factor was 2.57.

The 8th CPC is yet to be formed, and the report approval may not be completed by the last day of the 7th Pay Commission – December 31, 2025.

However, employees will get arrears from January 1, 2026, once the 8th Pay Commission comes into effect.

Calculations for story 

In our calculations, we will show revised salary projections at 37 fitment factors (1.92 to 2.28) for Junior Warrant Officer (JWO), Warrant Officer, Master Warrant Officer, Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, and Air Commodore. 

Revised estimated pay for Junior Warrant Officer (JWO), current basic pay Rs 35,400

Revised estimated pay for Warrant Officer, current basic pay Rs 44,900

Revised estimated pay for Master Warrant Officer, current basic pay Rs 47,600

Revised estimated pay for Flying Officer, current basic pay Rs 56,100

Revised estimated pay for Flight Lieutenant, current basic pay Rs 61,300

Revised estimated pay for Squadron Leader, current basic pay Rs 69,400

Revised estimated pay for Wing Commander, current basic pay Rs 1,21,200

Revised estimated pay for Group Captain, current basic pay Rs 1,30,600

Revised estimated pay for Air Commodore, current basic pay Rs 1,39,600