8th Pay Commission: If you are a central government employee or pensioner, this news could be very special for you. Over 5 million central government employees and approximately 6.9 million pensioners are currently awaiting an increase in dearness allowance and updates from the Eighth Pay Commission. Although the 8th Pay Commission is expected to be effective from January 1, 2026, actual benefits may take time to be realized. Until the Commission prepares its recommendations and submits them to the government, and they are approved, salaries and pensions will continue to be paid as per the Seventh Pay Commission.
Dearness Allowance Increase Expected in March
Dearness allowance is determined based on the Ministry of Labor’s All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI-IW). The December index remained stable at 148.2. Based on this, it is estimated that the government may increase DA by 5 percentage points. If this happens, the current 58% DA could rise to 63%.
It is estimated that the DA hike may be announced in March. Employee organizations hope that a decision may be made before Holi. In this case, the increased DA could be included in the April salary, and arrears from January 2026 could also be added.
Time in the Eighth Pay Commission Process
The government approved the Eighth Pay Commission’s Terms of Reference in October. The Commission is expected to take approximately 18 months to prepare its recommendations. This means that the actual implementation of changes in salaries, pensions, and allowances may be delayed.
The Commission’s office has been established in New Delhi. A crucial meeting with employee and pensioner organizations is scheduled for February 25th. Issues such as the fitment factor, minimum wages, allowances, and service conditions will be discussed in this meeting. Following this, a draft will be prepared and presented to the Commission.
Suggestions invited through a new website
The government has launched the official website for the Eighth Pay Commission, www.8cpc.gov.in. Ministries, departments, employees, and pensioners can submit their suggestions and opinions through this portal. The government says this will make the process more transparent and participatory.
Meanwhile, the All India NPS Employees Federation has launched a nationwide campaign. Representatives from nearly 400 districts are involved in this campaign. The organization demands that the Commission submit its report within 200 days and that the central rules be implemented equally in the Union Territories. However, employees and pensioners are eyeing the potential DA hike in March, while the major changes related to the Eighth Pay Commission may take some time to be implemented.
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