Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Government clarifies 8th Pay Commission's 18-month report deadline
In India, there is a special group called the 8th Central Pay Commission.
This group has a very big job: it decides how much the government pays its workers and its retired workers.
A famous judge named Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai is the leader of this group.
The commission started its work on 3 November 2025.
The government told the commission it has 18 months to finish and share its ideas.
That means everyone will hear the commission's plan by around May 2027.
Some people asked if the commission might finish early, but the government said it cannot promise that yet.
Millions of government workers and pensioners are waiting to hear what the commission decides.
Right now, the commission is talking to workers' groups to learn what they need before making its final decisions.
The 8th Central Pay Commission, constituted on 3 November 2025 and headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, has 18 months to submit its recommendations, placing the broad deadline in May 2027.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 10 August, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the Commission will make recommendations within 18 months of its constitution, without confirming an earlier submission.
The government has stated that the Commission has not yet submitted its recommendations and has not announced the date from which they will become effective.
Nearly 70 lakh people could be affected: about 35.77 lakh central government civilian employees as of 1 March 2026 and approximately 33.76 lakh pensioners and family pensioners as of 31 December 2025.
The Commission is in its consultation phase, meeting employee organisations, unions and pensioner bodies, with upcoming visits to Jaipur, Chennai, Puducherry and Chandigarh.
- Who
- The 8th Central Pay Commission, chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, with Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary responding in Parliament on the government's behalf.
- What
- The government clarified that the Commission must submit its recommendations on pay, allowances and pensions within 18 months of its constitution, without confirming an early report or an effective date.
- When
- The Commission was constituted on 3 November 2025; the clarification was given in a Lok Sabha reply on 10 August, with the broad deadline falling in May 2027.
- Where
- India, with the matter raised in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
- Why
- Central government employees and pensioners are awaiting recommendations on salaries, allowances and pensions from the 8th Pay Commission.
- Body
- 8th Central Pay Commission
- Chairperson
- Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
- Date of Constitution
- 3 November 2025
- Report Deadline
- Within 18 months of constitution (broadly May 2027)
- Civilian Employees Affected
- Approximately 35.77 lakh (as of 1 March 2026)
- Pensioners Affected
- Approximately 33.76 lakh (as of 31 December 2025, excluding defence pensioners)
- Total Affected
- Nearly 70 lakh employees and pensioners
- Parliamentary Reply
- Lok Sabha written reply on 10 August by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary