8th Pay Commission : The National Council (Staff Side), Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM), a body representing central government employees, has written a detailed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing attention to the ‘irregularities and serious deficiencies’ in the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Pay Commission. Let us inform you that the Central Government had notified the ToR of the 8th Pay Commission on 3 November 2025.
After the announcement of the Commission in January 2025, the government had also sought suggestions from the NC JCM Staff Side. In March 2025, the Council submitted a detailed charter to the government, which included the major demand of reducing the restoration period of commuted pension from 15 years to 11 years.
Major demands related to pension
In its letter, the NC JCM Staff Side stated that millions of employees had hoped to receive pension-related relief under the 8th Pay Commission. In this context, the Council requested Prime Minister Modi to include the following pension-related measures in the ToR:
Tips on Pension:
1. Demand for restoration of commuted pension by reducing the period from 15 years to 11 years.
2. Provision for 5% additional pension every 5 years – as recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
3. Proposal to extend the benefit of pension revision to all pensioners and family pensioners covered under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972/2021.
The Council said that all these steps will ensure financial stability and dignity in the lives of elderly pensioners.
Demand for restoration of OPS for NPS employees
In the letter, the Council stated that over 2.6 million central employees (including railway, defense, and paramilitary personnel) appointed on or after January 1, 2004, are vehemently demanding the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) by opting out of the New Pension System (NPS). The OPS is a non-contributory, guaranteed pension structure that was replaced by the NPS.
“This is a long-standing, reasonable, and justifiable demand, stemming from concerns about the employees’ post-retirement financial security and social dignity. This issue should be included in the ToR of the 8th Pay Commission, so that the Commission can examine it comprehensively and provide recommendations,” the letter states.
Anger over exclusion of 69 lakh pensioners
The NC JCM Staff Side has cautioned the government, stating that it is extremely concerning that 6.9 million central pensioners and family pensioners have been excluded from the purview of the 8th Pay Commission. These are individuals who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to the nation and public service. Many elderly individuals are now grappling with serious health problems. They too have a right to regular pension revisions. The Council stressed that excluding pensioners is “unfair and unacceptable” and that their needs should be included within the Commission’s scope.