Along with fitment factor, DA and family unit formula, a new ‘3490 calorie’ system could prove to be an important factor in increasing the salaries of central government employees. This formula links the change in salary with the prices of essential food items like milk, vegetables, grains and other daily needs. These things are necessary to fulfill the prescribed quantity of 3,490 calories. Employee unions have already requested the 8th Pay Commission to adopt this method while determining the new minimum salary. He also said that the old formulas no longer accurately reflect the cost of today’s lifestyle. Let us also tell you what the ‘3490 calorie’ formula means and why it is important.
What are the employee organizations demanding?
Earlier the salary was calculated on the basis of nutritional values of around 2700 calories. The staff side of the National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) in its memorandum said that the Dr. Wallace Aykroyd formula adopted by previous pay commissions, which was based on 2700 calories, is now outdated. And further suggested that the 8th Pay Commission should adopt the updated nutritional norms of ICMR.
What do ICMR nutritional norms suggest?
The latest dietary guidelines issued by ICMR and National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) break down the daily calorie requirements into different categories depending on the physical activity level of a person. It believes that people with low physical activity, moderate physical activity and high physical activity have different energy needs.
For adults 19–39 years old, the recommended daily calorie intake is as follows:
Low physical activity: men 2110 kcal, women 1660 kcal
Moderate physical activity: men 2710 kcal, women 2130 kcal
High physical activity: men 3470 kcal, women 2720 kcal
Employee unions have based most of their demands on the parameter ‘higher physical activity’. They argue that many government jobs require extensive fieldwork, frequent travel, busy schedules, workplace stress, and constant physical exertion, all of which increase daily energy needs. Apart from NC-JCM, All India NPS Employees Federation (AINPSEF) also used calorie and food-cost calculations in its memorandum submitted to the 8th Pay Commission. It said the current minimum wage does not adequately compensate employees in view of inflation and rising cost of living,” and further suggested that the Pay Commission should follow the norms suggested by ICMR.
What has been proposed by the Federation?
Rs 6,000 per consumption unit × 5 family units = Rs 30,000. After this, about 58 percent Dearness Allowance was added to the memorandum, due to which this figure increased to about Rs 47,400.
After taking into account health care expenses, education costs and modern lifestyle needs, the federation argued that the “scientifically determined minimum wage” should be between Rs 55,000 and Rs 60,000. The 8th Pay Commission is expected to impact over 1.1 crore beneficiaries, including central government employees and pensioners, as well as their families. So far, seven pay commissions have been constituted in India. The first Pay Commission was established in January 1946, and since then, a new Pay Commission has generally been constituted every 10 years. The 8th Pay Commission was constituted on 3 November 2025.
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