The government gave its approval in January 2025 to form the 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC). However, as of June 2025, no further progress has been made. The structure of the commission is still incomplete, the Terms of Reference (ToR) haven’t been finalized, and no members have been appointed.
This delay has become a matter of concern for more than 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners, who were expecting a salary and pension revision from January 1, 2026. Now, looking at how things are progressing, it seems the new pay scale may only be implemented around 2028.
✅ What’s the Present Situation?
The government’s announcement in January 2025 brought hope, but things haven’t moved forward. The key step — appointing a chairperson and other members — has still not happened. Most importantly, the ToR, which outlines what the commission can do and recommend, is still under discussion.
Although a notification has been issued to appoint 35 support staff for the commission, this is only a basic step. The actual formation of the commission is still pending.
📊 Comparison with Past Pay Commissions
Here’s a quick look at how previous commissions were formed and how long they took:
| Pay Commission | Formed On | Report Submitted | Implemented From | Time Taken | Notes |
| 6th Pay Commission | 5 Oct 2006 | 24 Mar 2008 | 1 Jan 2006 (retrospective) | ~2 years total | Approved in Aug 2008; Arrears paid in 2 parts |
| 7th Pay Commission | 28 Feb 2014 | 19 Nov 2015 | 1 Jan 2016 (retrospective) | ~2.3 years total | Approved in June 2016; Partial arrears paid |
| 8th Pay Commission (Expected) | Late 2025 (estimated) | Late 2027 or 2028 (expected) | Possibly 1 Jan 2026 (retrospective) | ~2+ years (expected) | Nothing final yet; ToR and report pending |
If we go by the timelines of the past, and if the 8th CPC is formed by the end of 2025, the report might not be ready before late 2027 or early 2028. Add more time for approval, and the actual implementation could happen in mid to late 2028.
📅 Missed Expectations of Employees
The 7th Pay Commission was effected from 1 January 2016. Naturally, employees were expecting the 8th CPC to begin from 1 January 2026 — exactly ten years later.
But without ToR, appointments, or any report yet, this seems highly unlikely now. Even if the government decides to apply the new pay scales from 2026 retrospectively, the actual implementation and payment of arrears may take place only in 2028 or later.
📢 What Are Employees Asking For?
Several employee organizations have submitted their key demands, which include:
- Fixing minimum pay based on a 5-member household, considering inflation and rising living costs.
- Merging 50% of Dearness Allowance (DA) with the basic pay.
- Uniform pay matrix to ensure fairness in salaries across different ministries and posts.
- Restoring commuted pension after 12 years instead of 15.
- Automatic pension revision every five years instead of waiting for each pay commission.
- Making DA tax-free for pensioners in lower income brackets.
🔢 Expected Salary Increase: What Is the Fitment Factor?
The fitment factor determines how much the current basic pay will increase. It is a multiplier applied to existing salaries.
Past Fitment Factors:
- 6th CPC: 1.86x
- 7th CPC: 2.57x
Expected for 8th CPC: Between 1.92x and 2.86x
If the minimum current basic pay of ₹18,000 is revised using 2.86x, it could become approximately ₹51,480. However, this is just speculation. The actual amount will depend on government finances, inflation rates, and the recommendations of the commission.
ALSO READ I UNDERSTANDING THE FITMENT FACTOR: A KEY TO SALARY REVISIONS
🧾 What Pensioners Are Hoping For
Retired employees are also eagerly waiting for the 8th CPC. Their main hopes are:
- Reduction in commuted pension recovery period to 12 years.
- Inclusion of DA in the basic pension.
- Clear benefits for those under the New Pension Scheme (NPS).
- Higher DA (Dearness Relief) for elderly pensioners, especially those above 80.
But these can only be considered once the ToR is finalized and the commission starts its work.
🔍 What’s Causing the Delay?
There are a few possible reasons:
- Financial Pressure: The government has many ongoing expenses like social welfare schemes, defense pensions, and infrastructure. A large pay hike may strain the budget.
- Upcoming Elections: Some believe that the delay may be intentional, as the government might want to implement the pay hike around the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- Inflation Concerns: A major salary revision could increase market prices and inflation, especially in cities.
All these factors are likely being considered by the Finance Ministry before finalizing the ToR.
ALSO READ I DA UPDATE JULY 2025: WHAT CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES & PENSIONERS CAN EXPECT
🔚 Final Thoughts
Even though the government has approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, the real work hasn’t started yet. As a result, central government employees and pensioners will likely have to wait until 2028 to see any actual changes in their salaries or pensions.
While the government might still apply the new pay scales from January 1, 2026 with arrears, the decision depends on how soon the commission is formed and how fast it submits its report.
Until then, employees and pensioners can only wait, hope, and stay informed — while employee unions continue to raise their voice on their behalf.
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