8th Pay Commission: The government has released a significant update concerning the 8th Pay Commission. For countless employees and pensioners, this update offers some clarity, although complete details are still pending. The government has also indicated in Parliament when the 8th Pay Commission might be put into effect.
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary announced that the 8th Central Pay Commission was officially established on November 3, 2025. He added that the commission has been allotted 18 months to deliver its report, which will include recommendations on salaries, allowances, and pensions for central government employees.
In response to the inquiry, “When will the 8th Pay Commission be implemented?” he stated, “This will only be determined once the report is submitted and approved. Only then can we decide on the implementation timeline. The commission is currently in the process of preparing its report.”
Feedback on the 8th Pay Commission
Reports indicate that the Commission is not adopting a singular approach for the 8th Pay Commission. It is actively gathering input from various groups. Eighteen different questions have been posted on the MyGov portal. Feedback is being solicited from ministries, departments, state governments, employees, pensioners, unions, academics, and even the general public. The deadline for submitting feedback is March 31, 2026, and responses will only be accepted online.
When will the salary increase occur?
Concerning salaries, it has been mentioned that even if the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission is postponed, it will be considered effective from January 1, 2026. However, it may take additional time for employees to actually receive the benefits. CA Manish Mishra, founder of GenZCFO, provided insight into the possible delay.
He explains that while it is accurate that the 8th Pay Commission is set to be effective from January 1, 2026, in reality, the increased salaries may not reach employees’ bank accounts until late 2026 or during the financial year 2026-27, just like the delays that happened after the previous Pay Commissions.
Employees will receive their dues
He also stated that pending payments under the 8th Pay Commission are also likely. While the revised pay will be paid later, it will be calculated as of January 1, 2026. The 7th Pay Commission’s term ends on the same day.
How much will salaries increase?
While no official information has been released regarding salary increases, initial estimates indicate a rise. Pratik Vaidya, Managing Director and Chief Vision Officer of Karma Management Global Consulting Solutions, said the expectations are based on past trends and current economic conditions.
He said that two factors are driving salary increases: the work of the previous commission and the current economy. Under the 6th Pay Commission, salaries increased by approximately 40 percent, while under the 7th Pay Commission, increases ranged from 23 to 25 percent, with a fitment factor of 2.57. Salaries under the 8th Pay Commission also depend on this factor.
Experts said this is only an estimate; the final decision depends on several factors. They explained that most estimates for the 8th Commission call for a 20 to 35 percent increase, including a fitment factor of 2.4 to 3 and a basic salary. However, the final figure depends on inflation, tax availability, and political will over the next 12 to 18 months.
