8th Pay Commission: Announced to benefit over 1 cr employees, pensioners

The government on Thursday announced the setting up of 8th Pay Commissions for Central Government employees and officers. Once implemented, the recommendations will benefit over one crore serving and retired Central Government employees and officers.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved setting up the 8th Pay Commission,” Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashiwini Vaihnaw said at a press conference. Soon, the Chairman and members will be appointed. “Recommendations of new commission will be implemented from 2026,” he said. Normally, pay commission recommendations are applicable for 10 years, and recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission were implemented in 2016.

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Though the terms of reference for the new Commission have not been finalised, it is expected to examine, review, evolve, and recommend desirable and feasible changes regarding the principles that should govern the emoluments structure, including pay, allowances, and other facilities/benefits, in cash or kind.

The employees covered include Central Government employees—industrial and non-industrial, Personnel belonging to the All India Services, Personnel of the Union Territories, Officers and employees of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, (v) Members of the regulatory bodies (excluding the RBI) set up under the Acts of Parliament; and Officers and employees of the Supreme Court.

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The 7th Pay Commission had recommended the minimum pay in government at ₹18,000 per month. According to government sources, around 50 lakh central government employees, including defence personnel, will benefit. Approx 65 lakh pensioners, including defence persons, will also see an uptick in their pensions. Approx 4 lakh employees in Delhi will benefit, including defence and Delhi government employees. (typically, Delhi Govt employees see their salaries increased with the Central pay commission).

The 7th pay commission saw an expenditure increase of ₹1 lakh crore for FY 2016-17. Now, once the 8th Commission’s recommendations are implemented, “They will provide a significant boost to the Consumption and economic growth, along with improved quality of life for govt employees,” said a source