8th Pay Commission: Central Government pensioners want clarity on pay revision benefits

Central Government pensioners fear being left out of pay hikes from the 8th CPC due to a provision of the Finance Bill 2025, passed by the Lok Sabha in March 2025.

What the Finance Bill said

According to the Government's Press Information Bureau (PIB), the validation legislation validated the principle that the Central Government has the authority to establish distinctions among pensioners.

"The validation legislation validates the principle that without prejudice to the Pension Rules, the Central Government has the authority to establish distinctions among pensioners as a general principle and that a distinction may be made or maintained amongst the Pensioners, which may emanate from the accepted recommendations of the Central Pay Commissions, and in particular the distinction may be made on the basis of the date of retirement," PIB said in a release dated March 26, 2025.

It further said that the legislation was made effective from June 1, 1972, thereby validating all Rules made under Article 309 of the Constitution for CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023, including all instructions issued and amendments from time to time.

The above legislation, however, has led to speculations on social media that the Government may deny 8th CPC benefits to existing pensioners.

According to the Staff Side, serious concern has arisen among Central Government pensioners, particularly because of the notification of the Finance Bill, which it claims gives the Government discretion over whether or not to extend the benefit of pay fixation under the 8th CPC to pensioners.

The Staff Side says this has led to a "growing sense of insecurity and resentment among retired personnel, who have every expectation of being treated equitable alongside serving employees."

What do pensioners want now?

Central Government pensioners want a clarification on the issue that they won't be deprived of the 8th CPC benefits. In a letter to the Government, the Staff Side said, "Clarify, through a formal directive that the benefits of pay fixation and revision under the 8th CPC shall also be extended to all Central Government pensioners, thereby removing doubts and ensuring parity and fairness in treatment."