8th Pay Commission: Railway employees have submitted their requests to the 8th Pay Commission concerning salary issues, promotions, and career advancement. At a significant meeting in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, railway engineers highlighted various long-standing concerns to the commission. Representatives from the All India Railway Engineers Federation (AIREF) and the East Coast Railway Engineers Association (ECoREA) brought forward these demands to Pankaj Jain, Member Secretary of the 8th Pay Commission. Let’s delve into the key demands of railway engineers and their potential impact on their professional paths.
Demand for salary restructuring resembling that of the 5th Pay Commission
AIREF General Secretary BP Das emphasized that the current salary framework for railway engineers is insufficient to meet present economic challenges and inflation. He pointed out that the salary system for engineers has been gradually decreasing since the Sixth Pay Commission.
Request for higher salaries for non-technical positions
Despite holding critical safety and technical roles, railway engineers receive lower salaries compared to many non-technical and non-safety positions.
Call for reinstating equality
The Federation has urged the 8th Pay Commission to reinstate the pay structure that was followed until the 5th Pay Commission.Another significant demand is to grant railway engineers Group-B status akin to officers in other central ministries.
Scarcity of Group B positions
Currently, there is a shortage of Group B positions within the Indian Railways, with only 0.29% of such positions being filled.
Push for enhanced promotional opportunities
AIREF has requested an increase in the share of Group B positions within the Railways to align with the national average of 7.5%. Limited positions hinder career progression and promotion opportunities for engineers. Organization Secretary Shivkant Singh also highlighted the issues of stagnation and reduced motivation among engineers.
The All India Railway Employees Federation (AIREF) has put forward several key demands aimed at improving the pay structure, career growth, and service conditions of railway employees.
One of the federation’s primary demands is the restoration of salary parity between technical and non-technical employees, in line with the recommendations of the 5th Pay Commission. AIREF argues that the existing pay structure has created disparities that need to be addressed.
The federation has also raised concerns over the extremely low representation of Group-B posts in the Indian Railways, which currently stands at around 0.29%.
It has urged the government to increase this to the national average of 7.5%, ensuring better career opportunities for employees.
Another major issue highlighted by AIREF is the lack of promotion opportunities. According to the federation, many railway employees face career stagnation due to limited avenues for advancement. It has requested the introduction of new promotional channels and a more structured career progression system.
Additionally, AIREF has sought Group-B status for eligible railway employees, similar to the service status enjoyed by employees in other central government ministries. The federation believes this move would ensure greater recognition, improved service conditions, and better career prospects for railway staff.
Numerous meetings are being conducted nationwide.
The meeting with the 8th Pay Commission took place on July 6th and 7th, as part of a countrywide engagement with employee unions, retirees, and other stakeholders. The Commission is wrapping up its consultation tour in Kolkata on July 10th. Previous meetings were conducted in Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Srinagar, and Ladakh.
In addition to the Railways, employee associations throughout the country are advocating for a higher fitment factor, enhanced allowances, pension reforms, adjustments in House Rent Allowance (HRA), and improvements in the MACP scheme.
What comes next?
While these discussions may not lead to immediate salary adjustments, they provide employee organizations with a platform to present evidence and real-life experiences to support their requests. The recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission, established on November 3, 2025, will have a direct impact on over 11 million currently serving central government employees and retirees