Government Prepares Biggest Civil Service Pay Revision in Years, Top Bureaucrats May Get 50% Raise

Ministry of Finance is preparing to revise civil servants’ salaries for the first time in three consecutive fiscal years, with a high-level Salary and Allowance Review Committee recommending a significant increase in public sector wages. According to the proposal, the monthly salary of office assistants could rise from Rs 27,612 to Rs 35,000, while the Chief Secretary’s salary may increase from Rs 77,211 to around Rs 121,000. The recommendation comes as the government finalizes preparations for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27 budget, where key decisions related to salaries, taxation, and public spending are expected to be made. Government officials say the final decision will depend on the country’s fiscal condition, as weak revenue collection and rising expenditure continue to pressure state finances. Civil servant unions have meanwhile demanded a higher minimum salary and expanded benefits, arguing that current pay structures no longer match inflation and rising living costs. Experts have also urged the government to strengthen employee welfare measures alongside salary revisions, warning that delays in compensation reforms could further affect morale and efficiency within the civil service sector.