Why is basic pay in salary so low?

I’ve been wondering why TCS keeps basic pay so low. It limits savings and tax benefits. For example, if basic pay is higher, I can save more in PF (12% of basic pay) and NPS (14% of basic pay), both of which are tax-deductible. But with low basic pay, these benefits are capped.

Under the latest income tax rules for FY 2025-26, if taxable income is below ₹12.75 lakh, there is no tax at all due to rebates and standard deductions. However, if income exceeds ₹12.75 lakh, taxes apply as per slabs. For instance, with ₹13 lakh taxable income, the tax payable is ₹75k under the new regime. A higher basic pay could help save more and potentially reduce taxable income below the ₹12.75 lakh threshold.

According to the 8th Pay Commission for central govt employees, their basic pay is almost 50% of their salary. In contrast, my basic pay is just ₹15k per month, which feels very low. Are companies saving on gratuity or employer contributions to EPF by keeping basic pay low? If all components are part of CTC anyway, why not adjust other components and increase basic pay?

Is there any way to request an increase in basic pay? This has been stressing me out a lot.