The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) has formally asked the 8th Central Pay Commission to fix the minimum monthly wage for central government staff at ₹69,000, with a fitment factor of 3.833 and annual increments raised to 6% from the current 3%.
The demand was submitted as part of a charter of demands at a meeting in New Delhi on October 30, 2026. NFIR has also sought five assured financial upgradations across an employee’s career instead of the current three Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) promotions, and the introduction of open-ended pay scales given the demanding nature of railway roles.
The federation suggested merging dearness allowance with basic pay once it crosses 25%. It has pushed for pensions to be fixed at 67% of last-drawn salary, faster commutation periods, restoration of discontinued allowances, and extension of railway pass benefits to employees’ parents.
The ₹69,000 figure matches the demand placed by the Staff Side of the National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) in its memorandum to the 8th CPC. The NC-JCM finalised its 51-page memorandum on April 13, 2026, covering pay structure, allowances, pension, and service conditions.
Under the 7th Pay Commission, the minimum basic pay was fixed at ₹18,000 with a fitment factor of 2.57. Multiplying the current ₹18,000 by the proposed 3.833 fitment factor arrives at ₹68,994, which unions have rounded to ₹69,000.
AIRF’s National General Secretary Shivgopal Mishra has argued that salary increases will give employees greater purchasing power, which in turn would support demand for goods and lead to GDP and trade growth.
The 8th CPC was constituted in November 2025 and held its consultations in Bengaluru on October 7 and 8, 2026, after earlier meetings in Chennai, Puducherry, Jaipur, and Chandigarh. Its recommendations are expected by mid-2027.
Not all railway unions have aligned around ₹69,000. The Indian Railways Technical Supervisors Association (IRTSA) has proposed a lower minimum basic pay of ₹52,600 with a graded fitment factor of 2.92 for the lowest level, rising to 3.80 at higher levels, in a separate submission.
The commission is yet to publish its draft recommendations. The final figure for minimum pay and fitment factor will be determined based on commission deliberations, government approval, and subsequent implementation.
