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Ever since the 1st Central Pay Commission (1946-47), salaries of Indian government employees have been experiencing extraordinary growth. from the bare minimum basic pay of ₹55 to ₹18,000 of the 7th Pay Commission, which came into effect in 2016—an extraordinary 327 percent increase.

Key milestones include the following:

1. 1st CPC: ₹55 – ₹2,000
2. 4th CPC: ₹750 minimum
3. 5th CPC: ₹2,550
4. 6th CPC: ₹7,000 (biggest real hike ~54%)
5. 7th CPC: ₹18,000 minimum with 2.57 fitment factor (overall ~14-23% real increase).

All commissions had been dampened, pay matrices redone, and inflation/economic adjustments made. The greatest real pay increase that was given came at the 6th CPC, and those that came later were concerned with rationalization in terms of pay level.

As the new 8th Pay Commission likely won't come into force until 2026, workers predict another major increase, which will be through a new fitment factor that may elevate the minimum wage significantly. These reforms have served to preserve talent and have also been a marker of increasing living expenses over almost 80 years. Factual take-home comprises DA, HRA, and allowances over the basic pay.