8th Pay Commission: Pensioners reach out to PM Modi with these demands on 8th CPC constitution

Recently, Railways Senior Citizens Welfare Society (RSCWS), an organisation dedicated to railway pensioners, reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a request for expediting the constitution and the working of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC).

It noted that the 8th CPC announcement brought "immense relief and expectation" among over 47 lakh central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners across the country.

However, the delay in formal constitution of the commission, including the appointment of its Chairman and members, and the finalization of its Terms of Reference (ToR), is leading to "growing uncertainty and apprehension" among the central government employees and pensioners.

"This prolonged silence and lack of concrete progress in formalizing the commission are leading to growing uncertainty and apprehension among the central government employees and pensioners," RSCWS chairman TS Kalra said in a letter to PM Modi dated June 30, 2025.

The letter also listed the following reasons why timely working of the 8th CPC was important, especially for pensioners.

The RSCWS said that transparency at every step will foster trust and confidence.

Key demands

Citing the above reasons, the RSCWS' letter to the prime minister raised the following demands:

• Immediate constitution of the Commission: Promptly announce the Chairman and members of the 8th Central Pay Commission.
• Finalisation and publicising of Terms of Reference: Clearly define and make public the ToR, clarifying the scope of the commission's work, including the mandate for reviewing allowances, pension-related benefits, and addressing specific demands such as the commuted pension restoration period.
• Setting a clear timeline: Establish and communicate a definitive timeline for the commission's work, including the submission of its recommendations, to ensure that the revised pay and allowances can be implemented from January 1, 2026, as anticipated.

"A proactive approach in this matter will reaffirm the government's commitment to the welfare of its employees and pensioners, ensuring that their genuine concerns are addressed without undue delay," the RSCWS chairman said.