1 year since 8th Pay Commission notified: Key milestones, current status explained

New Delhi: The 8th Central Pay Commission was formed on November 3, 2025. It will review the salaries, allowances and other benefits of central government employees as well as their pensions and retirement benefits. Its recommendations will apply to central government employees, All India Services and Defence Forces personnel, Union Territory employees and specified judicial and regulatory body personnel, among others. The Commission has been given 18 months from the date of its constitution to submit its recommendations.

Here is a look at the key developments since the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission.

Approval of Terms of Reference

The Union Cabinet approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Central Pay Commission on October 28, 2025. The ToR lays down the duties of the commission, including recommending changes towards the central government employees’ pay, pension, allowance and other service conditions. The Commission has held consultations with employee and pensioner bodies across the country to gather their views. Based on the feedback, the commission will prepare a report. Once the Cabinet approves the report and the Finance Ministry notifies it, the new pay and pension rates will apply.

Formation of the Commission

The Finance Ministry's Department of Expenditure formally notified the 8th Central Pay Commission on November 3, 2025. The three-member commission comprises chairperson Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, part-time member Professor Pulak Ghosh and member-secretary Pankaj Jain.

Questionnaire exercise completed

The Commission launched an 18-question questionnaire on the MyGov portal on February 5, 2026, to collect feedback from employees, pensioners, government departments, service associations, researchers and other stakeholders. The last date for submitting responses was March 31, 2026 and the window is now closed.

Memorandum submission deadline extended

On March 5, 2026, the Commission invited employees, pensioners, associations, unions, organisations and other interested parties to submit memorandums and representations through a structured online format. The initial deadline of April 30, 2026 was later extended to June 15, 2026.

NC-JCM demands Rs 69,000 as minimum pay and 3.833 fitment factor

In its memorandum submitted in early April, the National Council (Joint Consultative Machinery) for Central Government Employees- NC- JCM (staff side) recommended a minimum basic salary of Rs 69,000 and a fitment factor of 3.833. It also demanded a minimum pension at 67 percent of the last drawn basic pay, 6 percent annual increment, HRA rate revision and the merger of Dearness Allowance (DA) with basic pay when the DA reaches 25 percent.

Consultations held across cities

The Commission started holding meetings with employee associations, unions and other stakeholders to gather views and suggestions. These discussions will help the Commission prepare its recommendations. The visits and interactions were scheduled in Ladakh, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Delhi, Jaipur, Chennai, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

Commission invited applications for consultants

In April 2026, the Commission invited applications for engagement of consultants. The guidelines were partially modified on August 11, 2026. This step will help the Commission to carry out research and review salaries, allowances and retirement benefits.

Current status of 8th pay commission

As of November 2026, the commission has not yet announced or submitted its official recommendations regarding revised salary structures, minimum basic pay or pension hikes. The recommendations of the Commission are expected to take effect retrospectively from January 1, 2026. However, the final review, cabinet approval and implementation are likely to take place at a later date.