8th Pay Commission vs 7th CPC: IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS officers' projected salary hike calculations at 2.08 and 2.57 fitment factors; see estimates
8th CPC Revised Pay Projections for Civil Servants: Civil servants such as IAS, IPS, and IFS form the backbone of the country's administration, law and order situation and foreign policy decisions. As the 8th Pay Commission is set to be formed, what can their estimated basic salary rise at 2.08 and 2.57 fitment factors be?
8th Pay Commission Revised Pay vs 7th CPC Projections for IAS, IPS, IFS: Ever since the central government announced the 8th Pay Commission in January this year, there has been a lot of buzz around it. Central government employees have high expectations of the commission and expect a sizeable salary hike. Such is the case for civil servants such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS officers, who form the backbone of the country's administration and other key policy decisions. As the salary hike in the 8th CPC is most likely to be decided on the basis of the fitment factor, know what the estimated salary hike for IAS, IPS, and other civil servants at 2.08 and 2.57 fitment factors can be.
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(Disclaimer: These are salary projections. Actual salary rise may vary.)
What are civil services in India?
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts Civil Service Examination (CSE) to select civil servants for 24 different services. The most popular among them are Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Foreign Services (IFS), Indian Police Services (IPS), and Indian Revenue Services (IRS). Some other services are Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS), Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES), Indian Information Service (IIS), and Indian Postal Service (IPoS). While these are Group A services, Group B officers are also selected from the same exam.
Civil servants are considered as policymakers in India, as they hold top posts in different government departments. The top post for a government servant in India is Cabinet Secretary. The post is held by the senior-most IAS officer in the country.
Salary slabs for IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS officers in 7th CPC
Since these are Group A officers, the entry-level pay scale (7th CPC) for them is Level 10, where junior-level officers join. The highest level is Level 18, for the cabinet secretary. Civil servants get their basic pay asper their service years and seniority level.
Salary chart for Group A civil servants in India
| Designation / Rank | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹) | Typical Years of Service |
| Junior Time Scale (Entry Level) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 | 0 – 4 years |
| Senior Time Scale | Level 11 | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700 | 4 – 8 years |
| Junior Administrative Grade | Level 12 | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 | 9 – 12 years |
| Selection Grade (Director rank) | Level 13 | ₹1,18,500 – ₹2,14,100 | 13 – 16 years |
| Super Time Scale (Joint Secretary) | Level 14 | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 | 17 – 20 years |
| Above Super Time Scale (Addl. Secretary) | Level 15 | ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100 | 21 – 30 years |
| Higher Administrative Grade+ (HAG+) | Level 16 | ₹2,05,400 – ₹2,24,400 | 30+ years (Top Officers) |
| Apex Scale (Secretary to Govt. of India) | Level 17 | ₹2,25,000 (fixed) | Only for few top officers |
| Cabinet Secretary (IAS only) | Level 18 | ₹2,50,000 (fixed) | Highest post in Indian Civil Services |
8th Pay Commission latest news
The government last month advertised job posts for the 8th Pay Commission chairman and members. But the commission is yet to be formed. Once the names of the chairman and members are announced, the commission will prepare a report and submit it to the Cabinet. The Cabinet may approve this report as it is or may suggest a few changes. Once the Cabinet gives its go-ahead, the revised salary slabs will be implemented.
Fitment factor for 8th Pay Commission
The fitment factor for the 8th Commission will be known once the report is approved. However, employee unions of different government departments have come up with many suggestions. They are in the range of 1.92-2.86. It may be finalised at 1.92, 2.08, 2.28, 2.57 or 2.86. When a fitment factor is decided, an employee's basic salary from the previous pay commission is multiplied by the fitment factor to calculate the basic salary of a new pay commission.
Calculations for story
We are calculating estimated revised basic salaries of IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS officers in Pay Levels 1-18 at fitment factors of 2.08 and 2.57. We will calculate as per the minimum basic salary in these pay levels.
Estimated pay for Level 10 civil servants
Current basic pay- Rs 56,100
Revised basic pay (at 2.08 fitment factor)- Rs 1,16,688
Revised basic pay (at 2.57 fitment factor)- Rs 1,44,177
Estimated pay for Level 11 civil servants
Current basic pay- Rs 67,700
Revised basic pay (at 2.08 fitment factor)- Rs 1,40,816
Revised basic pay (at 2.57 fitment factor)- Rs 1,73,989
Estimated pay for Level 12 civil servants
Current basic pay- Rs 78,800
Revised basic pay (at 2.08 fitment factor)- Rs 1,63,904
Revised basic pay (at 2.57 fitment factor)- Rs 2,02,516
Estimated pay for Level 13 civil servants
Current basic pay- Rs 1,18,500
Revised basic pay (at 2.08 fitment factor)- Rs 2,46,480
Revised basic pay (at 2.57 fitment factor)- Rs 3,04,545
Estimated pay for Level 14 civil servants
Current basic pay- Rs 1,44,200
Revised basic pay (at 2.08 fitment factor)- Rs 2,99,936
Revised basic pay (at 2.57 fitment factor)- Rs 3,70,594
Estimated pay for Level 15 civil servants
Current basic pay- Rs 1,82,200
Revised basic pay (at 2.08 fitment factor)- Rs 3,78,976
Revised basic pay (at 2.57 fitment factor)- Rs 4,68,254
Estimated pay for Level 16 civil servants
Current basic pay- Rs 2,05,400
Revised basic pay (at 2.08 fitment factor)- Rs 4,27,232
Revised basic pay (at 2.57 fitment factor)- Rs 5,27,878
Estimated pay for Level 17 civil servants
Current basic pay- Rs 2,25,000
Revised basic pay (at 2.08 fitment factor)- Rs 4,68,000
Revised basic pay (at 2.57 fitment factor)- Rs 5,78,250
Estimated pay for Level 18 civil servants
Current basic pay- Rs 2,50,000
Revised basic pay (at 2.08 fitment factor)- Rs 5,20,000
Revised basic pay (at 2.57 fitment factor)- Rs 6,42,500