If you’re a central government employee or a pensioner, you’ve probably felt the tension building over the last few weeks. Ever since the 8th Pay Commission Notification landed on November 3rd, something shifted. You can almost feel the anticipation in every WhatsApp group, every staff discussion, every pensioners’ forum.

And here’s the thing—
November 15th isn’t just another meeting.
It’s the first big move that could reshape salaries, allowances, and pensions for nearly 30 million families across India.

Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what might change for you.

Why the November 15 NC-JCM Meeting Is So Critical

The NC-JCM (National Council – Joint Consultative Machinery) is not a random committee. It’s the only official platform where employee unions and government representatives sit together to push, negotiate, and finalize issues related to:

• Pay scales
• Allowances
• Pension reforms
• Service conditions

After the 8th Pay Commission Notification, the Standing Committee meeting on November 15 becomes the first strategic step toward shaping the demands and negotiation stance.

Even though the official agenda hasn’t been disclosed, long-time observers like me know one thing:
This meeting will decide how strongly the staff side will fight for salaries, pensions, DA structure, and long-pending reforms.

Millions of people—serving employees and 6.9 million pensioners—are waiting to see how tough the unions will stand this time.

The Big Question: What Pay Hike Can Employees Expect?

If you’ve been following previous Pay Commissions, you already know the first thing everyone wants to understand is the Fitment Factor—the multiplier that sets your new basic pay.

Here’s a clear, human-friendly table so you can see the pattern:

8th Pay Commission Fitment Factor: Expected Hike

Pay Commission	Hike in Pay	Fitment Factor	Minimum Basic Salary
4th CPC	27.6%	–	₹750
5th CPC	31%	–	₹2,550
6th CPC	54%	1.86	₹7,000
7th CPC	14.29%	2.57	₹18,000
8th CPC (Expected)	20%	3.00	₹21,600

If the expected 3.00 Fitment Factor is approved, employees at the lowest level could start at ₹21,600 basic pay—and the ripple effects will extend across all levels.

Expected 8th CPC Pay Matrix

I’ve condensed the massive data into a simple table that helps you visualize where you might stand:

Level	7th CPC Basic	Expected 8th CPC Basic
Level 1	₹18,000	₹21,600
Level 4	₹25,500	₹30,600
Level 7	₹44,900	₹53,880
Level 10	₹56,100	₹67,320
Level 14	₹1,44,200	₹1,73,040
Level 17	₹2.25 lakh	₹2.70 lakh
Level 18	₹2.50 lakh	₹3 lakh

(Full table from the draft has been restructured and compacted for readability.)

This is why November 15 matters. This is where unions will finalize how aggressively they will push for:

• A higher fitment factor
• Restructuring of lower pay levels
• Better pension fixation
• Fair DA merger rules
• New allowances and rationalisation

What This Means for Pensioners

If you’re one of India’s 69 lakh pensioners, this meeting may directly shape:

• New pension fixation
• Revised minimum pension
• Possible improvements in family pension
• Long-demanded parity with serving employees

I’ve spoken to several retired officers who say this is the first time in years they’re feeling “cautious optimism.” The fear around pension reforms has been growing, and this meeting could ease (or worsen) that anxiety depending on how discussions evolve.

What You Should Prepare For

Think of November 15 as the starting whistle. Nothing changes overnight, but the direction becomes clear. Based on past Pay Commissions, here’s what usually follows:

• 3–6 months of committee consultations
• Department-wise demand submissions
• Fitment panel recommendations
• Allowances committee formation
• Cabinet approval in the final stage

If patterns hold true, the final 8th CPC report may land in 2026—but the foundations begin now.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main purpose of the November 15 NC-JCM meeting?

This meeting sets the negotiation strategy for employee unions after the 8th Pay Commission Notification. It determines how strongly issues like pay hike, pension revision, and allowances will be pushed before the government.

2. Is the 8th Pay Commission Fitment Factor final?

No. The expected 3.00 Fitment Factor is based on preliminary assessments. The final number may change after negotiations and expert committee evaluations.

3. Will pensioners also benefit from the 8th CPC?

Yes. Pension revision, minimum pension, and improved parity for retirees are major agenda points that the NC-JCM is expected to push during discussions.