Proposed Ninth Pay Scale May Raise Minimum Salary to Tk 20,000 and Maximum to Tk 160,000

The government's long-awaited Ninth National Pay Scale is reportedly in its final stages of preparation, with plans to introduce the revised salary structure from the beginning of the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Under the proposed framework, the existing 20-grade structure would remain unchanged, but significant increases in basic salaries are being considered. The minimum basic salary is proposed to rise from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000, while the maximum salary for the top grade could increase from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000.

According to sources familiar with the process, the government is considering allocating approximately Tk 35,000 crore in the upcoming national budget to support the implementation of the new pay scale.

Given the substantial financial implications, the revised salary structure may be introduced in phases rather than all at once. In the first phase, basic salaries of government employees could increase by around 50 percent, with the remaining adjustments to be implemented gradually over the following two years.

The proposal also includes benefits for nearly 900,000 pensioners and retired government employees. In some cases, pension payments could be increased by up to 100 percent as part of broader efforts to strengthen social protection for retirees.

Economists believe the revised pay scale could improve the purchasing power of public servants and pensioners, potentially boosting consumer spending. However, they also caution that the increased expenditure may place additional pressure on government finances and revenue management.

Despite widespread discussion, no official government notification or gazette regarding the Ninth National Pay Scale has yet been issued. Final decisions are expected to become clear through the national budget announcement and subsequent official directives.