8th Pay Commission- Big news for central government employees. The central government is continuously consulting with the state governments regarding the 8th Pay Commission and an announcement regarding the formation of the commission can be made soon. According to media reports, recently Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh has given this assurance to the delegation of Government Employees National Confederation (GENC).

More than one crore central employees and pensioners are eagerly waiting for the 8th Pay Commission. The central government announced the 8th Pay Commission in January 2025, but there has been no significant progress since then as the appointment of panel members and the terms of reference (TOR) for the panel have not been finalised yet. According to the report, last month, a delegation of the apex body of industrial unions, Government Employees National Confederation (GENC), met Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh and discussed various issues including the delay in the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission faced by government employees.

In its meeting with the minister, the delegation raised several issues such as delay in the 8th Pay Commission, abolition of National Pension System (NPS) and Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) and restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS), release of DA arrears withheld during COVID-19. In this meeting, major employee demands including the formation of Eighth Pay Commission were discussed.

The minister assured the GENC that the 8th Pay Commission would be announced soon and arranged a meeting with the Pension Secretary regarding the restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Other issues raised in the meeting included increasing compassionate appointments, cadre review and ensuring regular Joint Commission meetings. The delegation submitted a detailed memorandum covering the pending major demands of government employees. It is being told that the minister gave assurance on the issues raised.

Key issues raised in the meeting

  1. The delegation stressed the urgent need for the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. On this, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh assured that the government is actively consulting the state governments and the formation of the 8th Pay Commission can be announced soon.
  2. The National Confederation of Government Employees demanded the abolition of the National Pension System (NPS) and the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) and the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in the meeting. On this, the minister immediately directed his secretariat to organize a meeting between the GENC and the Secretary of the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare.
  3. The GENC delegation demanded enhancement of compassionate appointment quota and special dispensation to accommodate pending cases. The minister clarified that the existing cap is based on legal decisions and cannot be increased; the present practice will continue.
  4. GENC demanded implementation of CAT’s orders on the earlier timeline for restoration of pension. On this, the minister said that the pension department has already clarified its position and currently no proposal is under consideration.