The wait for the formal formation of the 8th Pay Commission is getting longer. It was expected that there would be an update in May or June 2025, but no announcement has been revealed about it yet. The delay in setting the conditions of the context of this commission, delay in appointment of its chairman and members is causing an atmosphere of concern and uncertainty among the central government pensioners. In such a situation, Bharat Pensioners Society (BPS) has written a letter to the Ministry of Finance and Personnel and Training (DOPT) demanding immediate action.
BPS is one of the oldest and largest associations representing pensioners and senior citizens across the country. The letter sent to the Finance Minister and the DOPT Secretary states that lack of further progress, especially the terms of reference and not having announcements about the chairman and members of the Commission have given rise to increasing uneasiness. Rumors, speculation and misunderstandings have been increasing for a long time, causing anxiety and uncertainty in government pensioners.
The letter further states, “Given the seriousness of the situation, we politely request your good offices to take the terms of the reference soon, take necessary steps to ensure the final form of reference, the Chairman and members of the 8th Pay Commission, and to ensure the representation of pensioners in the Commission.”
Rumors will be removed from clear and timely communication
BPS has also written that the communication will not only remove rumors and assure stakeholders, but will also make the smooth and effective functioning of the Commission so that he can give his recommendations on time. Earlier, many employee unions had expressed concern over the delay in the 8th Pay Commission and appealed to the government to speed up its process.
The Union Cabinet approved the 8th Pay Commission on 16 January 2025. Due to this, along with the salary of central government employees, pension of pensioners is also set to change. About 50 lakh employees and about 65 lakh pensioners of the central government will benefit. The estimated number of civilian employees of the central government was 36.57 lakhs by 1 March 2025 and the estimated number of pensioners/family pensioners was 33.91 lakhs by 31 December 2024.
The possibility of implementation of recommendations from January 2026 decreased
It was expected that by April, the government would decide the terms of the context of the 8th Pay Commission and appoint the chairman and members and instruct the Commission to start the work. This is so that the panel can submit its report by mid -2026 and after that the process of amending the salary and pension of the central employees can be started. The commission’s recommendations were likely to be implemented from January 2026. Now half June has also passed and so far there is no progress regarding the 8th Pay Commission. In such a situation, the possibility of implementation of its recommendations from January 2026 has reduced.
The 7th Pay Commission was formed in 2014 and its recommendations came into force from January 1, 2016. Its duration is ending in 2026. Usually every 10 years the central government forms a pay commission to change the salary of its employees. State governments also change the salary of their employees on the lines of the Central Pay Commission.