Archive · 23 Sep 2026
8th Pay Commission Reviews Pay, Pensions and Allowances
The government has created a group to review the pay and pensions of central government workers and pensioners.
This group is called the 8th Pay Commission.
It is led by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and has two other members.
The group has 18 months to prepare its report.
It is meeting employees, unions and other stakeholders in different cities.
The group has not yet decided how much salaries or pensions will increase.
Unions have suggested different fitment factors, which are numbers used to calculate revised basic pay.
The government has also not decided whether the changes will start on 1 January 2026 or whether arrears will be paid.
More information is expected after the Commission completes its consultations and submits recommendations.
The Centre constituted the 8th Pay Commission on 3 November 2025 with an 18-month mandate.
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai heads the three-member panel, joined by Prof Pulak Ghosh and Pankaj Jain.
The Commission has not finalized the fitment factor, minimum basic pay, DA merger or implementation date.
Employee and pensioner groups have proposed fitment factors ranging from 3.5 to 4 or more.
Consultations are continuing, with meetings scheduled in Bengaluru on 7–8 October and Mumbai on 22–23 October.
- Who
- The 8th Pay Commission, chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, is reviewing matters affecting central government employees and pensioners.
- What
- It is examining salaries, allowances, pensions and related service conditions, including the fitment factor and minimum basic pay.
- When
- The Commission was constituted on 3 November 2025 and has an 18-month mandate, expected to end around May 2027.
- Where
- Consultations have taken place in Puducherry and Chandigarh, with further meetings scheduled in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
- Why
- The Commission was appointed to review and recommend changes to central government pay, pensions, allowances and service conditions.
Employee and Pensioner Demands
Pending Government Decisions
Fitment factor
Employee and Pensioner Demands
Several unions and pensioner groups are seeking a factor above 3.5, including proposals of 4 and 3.833.
Pending Government Decisions
The 8th Pay Commission has not announced a final fitment factor.
Implementation date
Employee and Pensioner Demands
The recommendations are tentatively expected to apply from 1 January 2026, which could affect potential arrears.
Pending Government Decisions
The government has not announced a final effective date, and any arrears will depend on its implementation decision.
Existing pensioners
Employee and Pensioner Demands
Pension-related matters, including possible revisions for existing pensioners, are within the Commission’s terms of reference.
Pending Government Decisions
The treatment of pensioners who retired before the 8th Pay Commission will depend on the Commission’s recommendations and the government’s final decision.
- Commission formed
- 3 November 2025
- Chairperson
- Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
- Mandate
- 18 months
- Current minimum basic pay
- ₹18,000 per month under the 7th Pay Commission
- Proposed fitment factors
- BPMS has proposed 4, while NC(JCM) staff and Bharat Pensioners Samaj have proposed 3.833
- Next consultation
- Bengaluru, 7–8 October
- Mumbai consultation
- 22–23 October; appointment requests are due by 10 October