8th Pay Commission: No meeting with NC-JCM Staff Side yet; how this approach differs from 7th CPC

The 8th CPC’s approach to inviting suggestions online is different from the 7th Pay Commission's. The 7th CPC had invited the Staff Side of the National Council - JCM for a meeting, instead of inviting suggestions online. Moreover, the 7th CPC had forwarded its questionnaire to the Staff Side. In contrast, the 8th CPC has uploaded the questionnaire online.

The Staff Side of the NC-JCM has taken note of the divergence in approach of the 8th CPC compared to the 7th CPC and has asked for an immediate meeting to discuss and decide the procedure/modalities to be adopted by the 8th CPC.

"The Government of India vide its Notification dated November 2025 have appointed the 8th Central Pay Commission with your good self as the Member Secretary. It is now almost four months after the notification is issued by the Government. However, till date we have not received any communication from the O/o (office of) 8th CPC," Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary, NC-JCM Staff Side said in a letter to the 8th CPC dated February 25, 2026.

"In the past, when ever the Central Pay Commission is constituted, the Commission used to have introductory meeting with the Staff Side of National Council - JCM and to discuss about the modalities to be adopted by the respective CPCs in its functioning. The Staff Side used to get an opportunity for placing their considered views before the CPCs in this regard," Mishra further said.

The Staff Side of the National Council - JCM under the Joint Consultative Machinery and Compulsorily Arbitration for the Central Government Employees represents the entire Central Government workforce.

"In view of the above it is important that the 8th CPC may immediately convene a meeting with the Staff Side in the true spirit of JCM Scheme to discuss and decide about the procedure/modalities to be adopted by the 8th CPC so that the commission will be able to submit its report to the Government within the stipulated period," Mishra said.

At present, the 8th CPC has posted 18 questionnaires on its website and has asked the employees, unions, associations and general public to give their answers with restrictions of 200 words answers for each question.

However, the name of Staff Side of NC-JCM is not mentioned in the 8th CPC website. Staff Side's office has not received the questionnaire officially.

Apart from an immediate meeting, the Staff Side has further requested the following:

• The answer to the questionnaire from the Staff Side of NC- JCM / Federations / Unions / Associations may be accepted through email and through Hard Copy.

• Increase word limit

Mishra noted that from the 8th CPC website, it is understood that the memorandums by the Staff Side of NC- JCM / Federations / Unions/ Associations should also be submitted only through the designated online portal.

"The Staff Side of the NC-JCM in its memorandum has to cover all the Common Service related issues starting from Minimum Pay / Fitment Factor / Pay Scales/ Rate of Increment/ Promotion Policies / Various Allowances / Medical Facilities / TA - DA / LTC / Various Advances / Leave Related Matters / Terminal Benefits including Pension etc with proper justification," said.

"Restricting the number of words on these major issues of Central Government employees / pensioners are not justified. The 8th CPC is requested to accept the memorandums from the Staff Side of NC- JCM / Federations / Unions / Associations through email and through Hard Copy," he said.

What happened in the 7th CPC

The Government of India had notified the appointment of 7th CPC on 28 February 2014. After allotment of temporary office to the 7th CPC, the commission invited the Staff Side of the National Council - JCM on the 28th of May 2014. Similarly, the questionnaire prepared by the 7th Pay Commission was also forwarded to the staff side's office vide 7th CPC letter dated 09/04/2014, according to Mishra.