8th Pay Commission: Is 8th CPC move genuine? Delay causing uncertainty among employees, says Staff Side

3 min read | Updated on June 20, 2025, 12:02 IST

SUMMARY

Staff Side (JCM) says the continued delay in the formal issuance of the Terms of Reference has led to widespread speculation and uncertainty among Central Government employees and pensioners alike.

The Staff Side (JCM) has once again urged the Government to speed-up 8th CPC announcements. | Image source: Shutterstock

Amid a delay in official announcements regarding appointments and terms of the 8th Central Pay Commission, the Staff Side (JCM) has urged the Government to circulate the finalised Terms of Reference (ToR) at the earliest.

Citing that the delays are causing unrest among employees and pensioners, the Staff Side has also urged the government to formally constitute the 8th CPC committee and extend the pay revision benefits to pensioners.

In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary dated June 18, 2025, Shiva Gopal Mishra Secretary, Staff Side, National Council (JCM) said the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (DoPT) had earlier conveyed the Government's decision to constitute the 8th CPC. The Government had also conveyed that the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the 8th CPC were under finalisation. Accordingly, the views and suggestions of the Staff Side of the National Council (JCM) were invited. And they were duly submitted to the DoPT for consideration.

"However, despite the submission of suggestions and the conduct of a preliminary meeting to discuss the matter, no further communication has been received from the Government in this regard," Mishra said.

Rising uncertainties

Mishra said that the continued delay in the formal issuance of the ToRs has led to "widespread speculation and uncertainty among Central Government employees and pensioners alike."

"In the absence of clear and timely communication, apprehensions are growing among employees about the credibility of the announcement regarding the setting up of the 8th CPC. Many fear whether this move is a genuine administrative initiative or otherwise," it said.

The letter further claimed that serious concern has also arisen among Central Government pensioners, particularly in view of the notification of finance bill, which according to the Staff Side gives the Government a "discretion over whether or not to extend the benefit of pay fixation under the 8th CPC to pensioners."

Three demands

In the light of the above developments, the Staff Side has requested the Government to consider the following submissions:

Issue clear and widely circulated guidelines on the finalised Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the 8th Central Pay Commission at the earliest, to dispel any ambiguity and restore confidence among the workforce.
Clarify, through a formal directive that the benefits of pay fixation and revision under the 8th CPC shall also be extended to all Central Government pensioners, thereby removing doubts and ensuring parity and fairness in treatment.
Constitution of theh 8th CPC committee at the earliest.