8th Pay Commission status in February 2026: Has the 8th CPC started functioning? Govt replies

The Government on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, responded to a query in the Rajya Sabha on whether the 8th Central Pension Commission (CPC) has started functioning on a regular basis.

In a written reply to the query on "whether 8th CPC has started functioning on regular basis" by Rajya Sabha member Javed Ali Khan, Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, said the constitution of the 8th CPC has already been notified, and it will make its recommendations within 18 months of its constitution.

"Government has already notified the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) along-with its Terms of reference (ToR) vide Resolution dated 03.11.2025. As per Resolution dated 03.11.2025, Commission will make its recommendations within 18 months of its constitution."

The MoS Finance also said that the 8th CPC has been mandated to make its recommendations on Pay, Allowances, Pension etc. of the Central Government employees.

No distinction among pensioners based on retirement date

In response to another query on "whether Finance Bill 2025 authorised the central government to establish among pensioners on the basis of date of retirement and a distinction may also be made amongst pensioners which may emanate from accepted recommendations of Central Pay Commissions", Chaudhary said the following:

• The Pension of the Central Government employees is governed by the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 (erstwhile CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972) and the Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023 and instructions issued from time to time by the Central Government, inter alia, for implementation of the accepted recommendations of the Central Pay Commission.

• The Central Pay Commissions being expert bodies, recommend different pay scales, allowances and pension for different categories of the Government employees. The Part-IV of Finance Act 2025 has validated the existing Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules and principles governing pension liabilities met from the Consolidated Fund of India and does not alter or change existing Civil or Defence pensions.

In January, the government had issues a new vacancy circular for the appointment of PSo/Sr.PPs/ PPS/ PS in the 8th Pay Commission.