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Alongside the Fitment Factor, DA (Dearness Allowance), and the Family Unit formula, a new ‘3490-calorie’ system could prove to be a pivotal factor in determining salary increments for Central Government employees. This formula links salary revisions to the prices of essential food items—such as milk, vegetables, grains, and other daily necessities—required to fulfill a fixed intake of 3,490 calories. Employee unions have already urged the 8th Pay Commission to adopt this methodology when determining the new minimum wage. They have further argued that existing formulas no longer accurately reflect the cost of living associated with contemporary lifestyles. Let us delve into what exactly the ‘3490-calorie’ formula entails and why it is considered significant.

**What are the Employee Unions Demanding?**
Previously, salary calculations were based on nutritional assumptions corresponding to approximately 2,700 calories. In their memorandum, the Staff Side of the National Council – Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) stated that the Dr. Wallace Aykroyd formula—adopted by previous Pay Commissions and based on a 2,700-calorie intake—is now obsolete. They further recommended that the 8th Pay Commission should instead adopt the updated nutritional guidelines issued by the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research).

**What do the ICMR Nutritional Guidelines Suggest?**
The latest dietary guidelines released by the ICMR and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) categorize daily caloric requirements based on an individual's level of physical activity. These guidelines acknowledge that the energy requirements of individuals with low, moderate, and high levels of physical activity differ significantly. For adults aged 19 to 39, the recommended daily caloric intake is as follows:
Low physical activity: Men 2,110 kcal, Women 1,660 kcal

Moderate physical activity: Men 2,710 kcal, Women 2,130 kcal

High physical activity: Men 3,470 kcal, Women 2,720 kcal

Employee unions have largely based their demands on the 'high physical activity' scale. They argue that many government roles entail extensive fieldwork, frequent travel, demanding schedules, workplace stress, and the need for constant physical exertion—all of which increase daily energy requirements. In addition to the NC-JCM, the All India NPS Employees Federation (AINPSEF) also utilized calorie and food-cost calculations in the memorandum it submitted to the 8th Pay Commission. It stated that "the existing minimum wage, in light of inflation and the rising cost of living, fails to provide adequate compensation to employees," and further suggested that the Pay Commission should adhere to the norms recommended by the ICMR.

**Proposals Submitted by the Federation**
₹6,000 per consumption unit × 5 family units = ₹30,000. Subsequently, a Dearness Allowance of approximately 58 percent was added to the memorandum, raising this figure to approximately ₹47,400.

After taking into account healthcare expenses, education costs, and the requirements of a modern lifestyle, the Federation argued that a "scientifically determined minimum wage" should fall within the range of ₹55,000 to ₹60,000. It is anticipated that the 8th Pay Commission will impact over 11 million beneficiaries, comprising Central Government employees and pensioners, as well as their families. To date, 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 November 3, 2025.

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