9th pay scale gazette nears
The process of issuing the gazette for the proposed 9th National Pay Scale has entered its final stage, with the draft notification sent to the Ministry of Law for vetting.
The draft was sent for legal scrutiny on Thursday, September 17, and most of the vetting process has already been completed, according to relevant officials.
Officials at the Finance Division said efforts were underway to complete the remaining formalities quickly. Once the legal vetting is finished, the government will take the necessary steps to publish the official gazette.
The Cabinet approved the proposed National Pay Scale 2026 on August 31, deciding that it would take effect from July 1, 2026.
The Finance Division has said the new pay structure will be implemented in phases, taking into account the government’s financial capacity and the overall economic situation.
Although government employees had expected the gazette to be issued soon after the Cabinet approval, more than two weeks have passed without its publication. Officials, however, said there was no reason for concern as the process was now at an advanced stage.
Under the proposed new structure, basic salaries will increase by between 100 percent and 142 percent, depending on the grade. The basic salary for Grade 20 will rise from Tk8,250 to Tk20,000, while the basic salary for Grade 1 will increase from Tk78,000 to Tk1,56,000.
The effective date has been fixed for July 1, 2026. As a result, officials said a delay in publishing the gazette would not necessarily change the effective date.
However, implementation of the revised basic salaries will take place in phases.
The interim government formed the National Pay Commission, 2025, headed by former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan.
The commission submitted its report to the government on January 22, recommending increases in the salaries and allowances of government employees.
It proposed raising the minimum basic salary from Tk8,250 to Tk20,000 and increasing the highest basic salary accordingly. It also recommended revisions to the Baishakhi allowance, commuting allowance and other benefits. Based on the commission’s recommendations, the government prepared a revised pay structure and placed it before the Cabinet.
Following Cabinet approval on August 31, the formal process for issuing the gazette began.
With the legal vetting now nearing completion, officials said the remaining administrative steps would be taken shortly, bringing the long-awaited notification for the 9th National Pay Scale closer to publication.
