8th Pay Commission: The eyes of all central government employees and pensioners are currently fixed on the proceedings of the 8th Pay Commission. The committee constituted for the new Pay Commission is moving the process forward, and in a significant development, central employees have once again received a major relief. Providing substantial relief to employees, the 8th Pay Commission has decided to extend a crucial deadline.
key highlights
Annual Increment Demand
| Parameter | Current | Demanded |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Salary Increment | Standard rate | 6% per year |
| Promotion Increment | Included in a normal hike | Separate additional hike |
3️⃣ Old Pension Scheme (OPS) Restoration
| Scheme | Employee Contribution | Government Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| OPS (Demanded) | ❌ None required | ✅ Full responsibility |
| NPS (Current) | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| UPS (Current) | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
The Commission has now set the deadline for submitting memoranda to May 31, 2026. Previously, the final date for this submission was April 30, 2026. Recently, during a meeting with the Finance Commission, the JCM (Joint Consultative Machinery) put forward several major demands.
Suggestions Can Be Submitted Until May 31
By taking this major decision, the 8th Pay Commission has provided relief to central government employees. In a notice issued on its portal, the Commission stated that authorised/nominated Nodal/Sub-Nodal Officers and offices will now be able to submit their suggestions to the 8th Pay Commission in a structured manner, categorised by Ministry, Department, or Union Territory.
The notice clarified that all responses must be submitted by May 31, 2026. It further specified that memoranda cannot be submitted via paper-based documents, hard copies, PDFs, or emails. Notably, the decision to extend the deadline was taken following a request made by the NC-JCM. The date has been extended at a time when various demands have also come to the fore.
Find Out When the Meeting Took Place
Did you know that a significant meeting was held just two or three days ago, on April 28, 2026? During this meeting, the NC-JCM raised several major issues. The most significant demand put forward by the employee organisations centred on—none other than—the ‘Fitment Factor.’
Employees surprised the 8th Pay Commission by demanding a Fitment Factor of 3.83. During the 7th Pay Commission era, the Fitment Factor stood at 2.57; this resulted in the minimum basic pay being set at ₹18,000. 3.83 Fitment Factor: How Much Will the Salary Increase?
If a fitment factor of 3.83 is adopted in the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission, the minimum basic salary would rise from ₹18,000 to a total of ₹69,000. In this context, it remains to be seen what suggestions are put forth by the Finance Commission. Additionally, employee unions have demanded an annual salary increment of up to 6 per cent. Furthermore, they have also demanded a separate salary hike specifically at the time of promotion.
Will the Old Pension Scheme Be Restored?
Amidst various other demands, a proposal for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme has also been put forward. Employee unions have urged the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme to replace the existing NPS (National Pension System) and UPS (Universal Pension Scheme). Under the Old Pension Scheme, employees are not required to make any financial contributions.
In contrast, both employees and the government are required to make contributions under the NPS and UPS. For information purposes, it should be noted that the Central Government constituted the 8th Pay Commission in November 2025. The Commission’s report is scheduled to be submitted within 18 months.
