8th pay commission: More than six months have passed since the Central Government’s announcement of the formation of the 8th Pay Commission (8th Pay Commission), but its notification has not been issued yet. This delay has raised concerns between employees and officers.
It is believed that the Central Government employees and pensioners may have long wait for the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. In fact, before the announcement of Terms of Reference and Commission members, another bottleneck has come to light. The Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) has extended the last date of application for four under secretary posts under the Commission.
What to say about Dopt?
In the notice issued on 3 July 2025, DOPT said that applications for these posts will now be accepted by 31 July. Earlier in May and June also the deadline has been extended twice. This indicates that till now the department has not received enough eligible candidates.
- Basic Last Date: 21 May 2025
- First extended date: 10 June 2025
- Date extended for the second time: 30 June 2025
- Date extended for the third time: 31 July 2025
The process started from April
DOPT issued a circular on 22 April 2025, starting the process of filling the four under secretary (level-11) posts on deputation under the Commission. These appointments will be made under the Department of Expenditure of the Ministry of Finance and will be in line with the rules of the Central Staffing Scheme.
Who can apply?
For these posts, officers associated with All India Services or any organized group ‘A’ service of the Central Government can apply, who are eligible for the under -secretary level under the Central Staffing Scheme. The appointment of selected officers will be effective for the entire period of 8th Pay Commission.
January 2026 deadline in danger
Actually, the current 7th Pay Commission is ending this year, and the 8th Commission was proposed to replace it. But so far neither the Terms of Reference (TOR) have been released nor the names of the Chairman or other members have been announced. This is likely that the deadline for implementing salary hike by January 2026 may be missed.
Was this happened last time too?
The notification of the 7th Pay Commission was released on 25 September 2013 and its terms of references came on 28 February 2014 i.e. in 156 days. Now if we talk about the 8th Pay Commission, then on 16 January 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced its formation. But till 1 July 2025, ie, even after more than 160 days, no concrete updates have come.
Officers and employees worry increased
There is a confusion among employees and senior officials about this delay. Recently, NC JCM Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra wrote a letter to the Cabinet Secretary demanding to clarify the situation. He said that suggestions have already been submitted by the staff side, but no ‘dialogue’ is being done by the government on time.
What was the promise of the government?
In January, the government had said that soon the names of the chairman of the commission and two other members will be announced, but no official circular has come till July. Mishra’s letter states that there is confusion among stakeholders due to this ‘uncertainty’.
Was to be formed by February?
It is also mentioned in the letter that the 8th Pay Commission should have been formed by February 2025, so that the report can be implemented according to the deadline of January 2026. Now the question arises- will the government be able to arrange for salary hike till this deadline?
Also read: 8th Pay Commission: Will the 8th Pay Commission be delayed, when will the increased salary and pension be increased?