The proposed Ninth National Pay Scale-2026 has been approved by the Cabinet. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani stated that the related gazette notification would be issued within this week. He informed that not one, but multiple notifications would be issued for the new pay scale. Additionally, after legal vetting, several matters would also be issued as SROs (Statutory Regulatory Orders).
The Cabinet Secretary provided this information in response to journalists’ questions after a Cabinet meeting held on Monday (August 31) at the Secretariat, presided over by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman.
Responding to a query about when the new pay scale notification might be issued, Nasimul Ghani said, “It will be done this week, Insha’Allah. There won’t be just one gazette, but several.”
He stated that the last National Pay Scale was given in 2015. After that, government employees have not received a new pay scale for nearly 12 years. Considering the rise in inflation and cost of living, the National Pay Commission-2025 was formed to update the salary structure of government employees. After receiving the commission’s report, the government held eight meetings on the matter.
The Cabinet Secretary mentioned that due to the prolonged period without a pay raise, the living standards of government employees had declined. Considering this, the new salary structure has been determined by balancing the interests of the employees with the government’s financial capacity.
The Finance Division will issue necessary gazettes, orders, and directives for the implementation of the National Pay Scale-2026. These directives will contain detailed provisions on related matters, including the method of pay fixation, various allowances, pension, and other post-retirement benefits. All relevant ministries, divisions, directorates, departments, and agencies will be instructed to take necessary measures for the implementation of the approved pay scale.
The existing 20 grades for government employees have been retained in the new pay scale. Basic salaries from the 1st to the 11th grade have been increased by up to 100%. The basic salary for the 1st grade has risen from BDT 78,000 to BDT 1,56,000.
However, salaries for lower-grade employees have been increased at a comparatively higher rate. The pay hike rates have been set at 115% for the 12th grade, 118% for the 13th grade, 130% for the 14th grade, 135% for the 15th and 16th grades, 138% for the 17th grade, 139% for the 18th grade, 141% for the 19th grade, and a maximum of 142% for the 20th grade.
The Cabinet Secretary stated that the decision to increase salaries for lower-grade employees at a comparatively higher rate was intentional. This measure has been taken to somewhat adjust for the increased cost of living and reduced real income of lower-earning employees.
In the new pay scale, the ratio between the highest and lowest grade salaries has also been reduced. The old ratio of 1:1.945 has been decreased to 1:1.78 in the new structure.
Meanwhile, a decision has also been made to increase net pensions on a slab basis for old pensioners. For those receiving a net pension of BDT 9,000 or less per month, the pension will be increased by 100% to BDT 18,000.
Net pensions for individuals receiving from BDT 9,001 to BDT 20,000 will be increased by 75%, for those receiving from BDT 20,001 to BDT 30,000 by 65%, for those receiving from BDT 30,001 to BDT 40,000 by 60%, and for those receiving BDT 40,000 or more by 55%.
The Cabinet Secretary stated that the government is gradually moving towards implementing a ‘One Rank, One Pension’ system. He also informed that the goal is to fully implement this system by 2030.