Archive · 8 Nov 2025
8th Pay Commission Excludes Pensioners; Union Demands ToR Revision
Imagine the government has a special committee to decide how much money its employees and retired people should get paid.
This committee is called the Pay Commission, and the latest one is the 8th Pay Commission.
A group representing government workers and retirees noticed that the rules for this new committee, called the Terms of Reference, are different from the last one.
They are worried because it seems like a lot of retired people, more than 69 lakh of them, are not included in the plan for pay changes.
The group wrote a letter asking the government to change the rules so that these retired people are also considered.
They also pointed out that the way the committee is supposed to figure out pay for working employees is different and seems less detailed than before.
They want the government to add back the parts that help retired people and make sure everyone is treated fairly.
The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) have been notified, headed by Justice Ranjana Desai.
The All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) has raised concerns that over 69 lakh pensioners and family pensioners are excluded from the 8th CPC's purview.
AIDEF claims the ToR for the 8th CPC differ significantly from those of the 7th CPC, particularly regarding pension revision and emolument structure.
The union is requesting an amendment to the ToR to include pensioners who retired before the 8th CPC's effective date.
AIDEF also seeks the inclusion of long-pending pension reforms, such as restoration of commuted pension and regular pension hikes.
- Who
- All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) and central government pensioners
- What
- Union expresses concern and seeks revision of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) due to the exclusion of pensioners and differences from the 7th CPC.
- When
- Recently notified Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th CPC
- Where
- India
- Why
- AIDEF argues that the ToR unfairly exclude a large number of pensioners from pay revisions and lack specific provisions present in the 7th CPC's ToR.
All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF)
Government's Current Stance (Implied)
Inclusion of Pensioners
All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF)
The 8th Pay Commission's Terms of Reference (ToR) unfairly exclude over 69 lakh pensioners and family pensioners, whose pension revision is a right and should be included.
Government's Current Stance (Implied)
The current ToR for the 8th Pay Commission do not explicitly mention the inclusion of pre-2006 pensioners for revision, differing from the 7th CPC's ToR.
Emolument Structure Focus
All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF)
The ToR for the 8th CPC on emoluments are significantly different and less comprehensive than the 7th CPC's, lacking mention of stakeholder expectations.
Government's Current Stance (Implied)
The 8th CPC's ToR aim to work out an emolument structure conducive to attracting talent, promoting efficiency, accountability, and responsibility.
Specific Pension Benefits
All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF)
The government should include specific recommendations for pension revision for pre-CPC retirees, restoration of commuted pension after 11 years, and a 5% pension hike every five years, as suggested by a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
Government's Current Stance (Implied)
The ToR for the 8th CPC do not explicitly mention the restoration of commuted pension or phased pension hikes, unlike the provisions considered in the 7th CPC.
- 8th Pay Commission Head
- Justice Ranjana Desai
- Panel Composition
- Three-member panel
- Pensioners Affected
- Over 69 lakh central government pensioners and family pensioners
- Union's Action
- Letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman requesting ToR revision
- Key Discrepancy
- Exclusion of pre-2006 pensioners from revision purview, differing ToR on emoluments compared to 7th CPC
- Requested Pension Reforms
- Restoration of commuted pension after 11 years, 5% pension hike every 5 years