8th Pay Commission: Next steps, effective date and FAQs you should know now

The 8th CPC is expected to revise salaries, pensions and various allowances offered to central government employees and pensioners to reflect the rising cost of living.

While the Terms of Reference will provide a broad framework for the 8th CPC to formulate its recommendations on pay and pension revisions, there is a lot of anticipation among employees regarding the next steps in commission's journey, including its implementation timeline, the effective date, the expected date from which employees and pensioners may begin receiving higher monthly payments. This article answers some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs):

Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai is the chairperson of the 8th Pay Commission.

The next steps for the 8th CPC will include the following:

The 8th CPC will be implemented with effect from January 1, 2026.

"Usually, the recommendations of the pay commissions are implemented after a gap of every ten years. Going by this trend, the effect of the 8th Central Pay Commission recommendations would normally be expected from 01.01.2026," the Union Cabinet said in a release.

The 8th Pay Commission has been constituted. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, former Supreme Court Judge, has been appointed as Chairperson of the 8th Central Pay Commission. She is also the first woman ever to head a Central Pay Commission.

The 8th CPC will submit its report within 18 months. After that the Government may take another 5-6 months to implement the 8th CPC's recommendations. Therefore, the final implementation of the 8th CPC may happen within two years from now.

According to the Union Cabinet, the 8th CPC will make its recommendations within 18 months of the date of its constitution. It may consider, if necessary, sending interim reports on any of the matters as and when the recommendations are finalised.

The Government has not yet notified the Terms of Reference. However, it has announced the following broad points that the 8th CPC will keep in its view:

• The economic conditions in the country and the need for fiscal prudence;

• The need to ensure that adequate resources are available for developmental expenditure and welfare measures;

• The unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes;

• The likely impact of the recommendations on the finances of the State Governments which usually adopt the recommendations with some modifications; and

• The prevailing emolument structure, benefits and working conditions available to employees of Central Public Sector Undertakings and private sector.

The 8th CPC will be a temporary body, comprising of a Chairperson, a part-time member and a member-secretary.