Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Central Employees Seek Five MACP Upgrades From 8th Pay Commission
The 8th Pay Commission is reviewing how government employees are paid and promoted.
It was created on 3 November 2025 and has 18 months to finish its work.
The commission is meeting employees and unions to hear their concerns.
Right now, the MACP scheme gives workers three pay increases after 10, 20 and 30 years.
Several employee groups say this is not enough, especially for people who stay in the same job for many years.
They want five pay increases instead of three.
Different groups have suggested different timelines for these increases.
Some also want pay to follow the salary of the next promotional job.
The unions believe these changes could reduce career stagnation and improve employee morale.
The 8th Pay Commission was constituted on 3 November 2025 and has 18 months to complete consultations and submit its report.
The commission, led by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, recently visited Puducherry and is scheduled to visit Chandigarh on 16–18 September 2026.
The current MACP scheme provides three financial upgrades after 10, 20 and 30 years of service.
The Ministerial Staff Association has sought five upgrades at 8, 15, 22, 28 and 32 years, linked to promotional posts.
Other employee bodies have proposed different five-upgrade schedules, shorter intervals and protection of MACP benefits after promotion refusal.
- Who
- The 8th Pay Commission, central government employees and employee associations including the Ministerial Staff Association, the Federation of National Postal Organisations and the National Council-JCM Staff Side.
- What
- Employee groups are seeking major changes to the Modified Assured Career Progression scheme, including five financial upgrades, shorter intervals and progression linked to promotional posts.
- When
- The commission was constituted on 3 November 2025; it visited Puducherry on 9 September and is scheduled to visit Chandigarh on 16, 17 and 18 September 2026.
- Where
- The consultations include Puducherry and an upcoming visit to Chandigarh.
- Why
- The unions say the current 10-year gaps and limited number of upgrades can cause career stagnation, weaken morale and inadequately reward seniority and responsibilities.
Employee Associations’ Demands
Current MACP Framework
Number and timing of upgrades
Employee Associations’ Demands
Employee associations generally seek at least five financial upgrades, with schedules ranging from six- to eight-year starting intervals and shorter gaps thereafter.
Current MACP Framework
The current scheme provides three upgrades after 10, 20 and 30 years of service.
Basis for pay progression
Employee Associations’ Demands
The Ministerial Staff Association and the National Council-JCM Staff Side want progression linked to the promotional hierarchy, including the pay scale of the next promotional post.
Current MACP Framework
The article describes the existing MACP system as providing advancement to the next pay-matrix level, which unions say may not match the next promotional post.
Effect of refusing promotion
Employee Associations’ Demands
The Federation of National Postal Organisations says refusing a promotion should not deny or postpone MACP benefits because promotion and financial progression are distinct.
Current MACP Framework
The article reports this as a union demand and does not state that the 8th Pay Commission has accepted it.
- Commission constituted
- 3 November 2025
- Consultation period
- 18 months
- Commission chair
- Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
- Current MACP structure
- Three financial upgrades after 10, 20 and 30 years
- Ministerial Staff Association proposal
- Five upgrades after 8, 15, 22, 28 and 32 years
- Federation of National Postal Organisations proposal
- Five upgrades after 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 years
- Upcoming visit
- Chandigarh, 16–18 September 2026