8th Pay Commission: The Eighth Central Pay Commission has sought detailed salary and allowance data from central government ministries and departments to assess the financial implications of a possible revision in the pay structure of central government employees. The exercise covers Pay Matrix Levels 1 to 18 and includes basic pay, Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), transport allowance, risk and hardship allowance, running staff allowance for railway employees, non-practising allowance and other allowances. The information will help the Commission examine the existing expenditure on salaries and allowances and assess the potential cost of any future changes.
What Data Has the 8th Pay Commission Requested?
According to the information shown in the report, ministries and departments were asked to upload employee salary and allowance expenditure details through the Commission’s online data portal. The information is organised according to Pay Matrix Levels 1 to 18, covering employees across different pay levels.
The requested information includes:
Basic Pay: Salary figures, including Military Service Pay wherever applicable.
Dearness Allowance (DA): The amount spent on DA payments to employees.
House Rent Allowance (HRA): Expenditure on housing-related allowances.
Transport Allowance: Payments made to eligible employees for commuting expenses.
Risk and Hardship Allowance: Allowances paid to employees working under specific risk or difficult conditions.
Running Staff Allowance: Allowances applicable to railway running staff.
Non-Practising Allowance: Payments made to eligible employees under the relevant rules.
Other Allowances: Additional allowances provided under applicable service conditions.
Total Allowances: The combined expenditure on the different allowance categories.
The data is intended to provide a consolidated picture of salary and allowance expenditure across the various pay levels. The figures are to be entered in lakh rupees, making it easier to assess the overall financial burden on the government.
How Must Ministries Submit the Data?
The information states that the Commission requires the data to be uploaded directly to the designated online portal. Emails, Excel files and physical copies are not accepted as substitutes for the required portal submission.
The reporting exercise covers three financial years: 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–25. Ministries and departments must provide the relevant expenditure figures for each year and for the specified Pay Matrix Levels.
8th Pay Commission has asked ministries for 3 years of salary and allowance spending, Level 1 to 18. DA, HRA, transport, risk and hardship are each counted separately.#8thPayCommissionpic.twitter.com/bRmGcP9EQT
“>October 10, 2026
The Commission has also sought other information separately, including details relating to pension scheme headcounts, advances and employee cadre structures.