New Delhi, June 14 -- With discussions around the 8th Pay Commission gaining momentum, the fitment factor is being closely watched, as it plays a crucial role in determining salary and pension hikes for central government employees and pensioners across India.

The concept of the fitment factor became became a talking point during the 6th and 7th Pay Commissions, as earlier pay panels followed more complex approaches to revise salaries, including pay rationalisation, dearness allowance mergers, and need-based wage calculations.

Central government employees might have to wait until 2027 to have a concrete idea about their salary hikes and fitment factor report if past trends are followed.

The 7th Pay was set up on February 28, 2014, but ...