8th Pay Commission Terms of Reference approved: What it will keep in view while deciding salaries

According to a Cabinet release, the 8th CPC will be a temporary body. It will comprise of one Chairperson; One Member (Part Time) and one Member-Secretary. 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 finalized.

While making the salary recommendations, the 8th Pay Commission will keep in view the following:

• 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 Central Pay Commissions are periodically constituted to go into various issues of emoluments structure, retirement benefits and other service conditions of Central Government employees and to make recommendations on the changes required thereon.

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 Government had announced formation of the 8th Central Pay Commission in January, 2025 to examine and recommend changes in the Salaries and other benefits of Central Government employees.