As time passes, excitement among government employees regarding the 8th Pay Commission is steadily increasing. Recently, a major update has surfaced regarding when the 8th Pay Commission will be implemented, along with some good news about arrears for central employees — reports suggest that employees may receive arrears of up to ₹6 lakh.
7th Pay Commission Tenure Nearing Completion
The tenure of the 7th Pay Commission is about to end, and employees are now eagerly awaiting updates on the fitment factor under the 8th Pay Commission. The good news for employees is that once the 8th Pay Commission (8th CPC) is implemented, they are expected to receive arrears worth around ₹6 lakh. Let’s take a look at how much salary hike employees may get under the new pay structure.
ToR Approval Still Pending
Although the government approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission in January 2025, the crucial Terms of Reference (ToR) have not yet been approved. In January, the government sought suggestions for the ToR from the National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM).
According to the NC-JCM Secretary, the ToR for the 8th Pay Commission may get approval soon. However, it is expected that no announcement will be made before Diwali. Based on the timeline of previous pay commissions, it usually takes around 18 to 24 months for the commission to submit its report.
Government Review Timeline
Once the 8th CPC report is submitted, it generally takes another 3 to 9 months for the government to review it. The current 7th Pay Commission was formed in February 2014, and it submitted its report in November 2015.
If the new commission is officially announced this month, its report may not be ready before April 2027. A senior union leader has expressed hope that the 8th Pay Commission could be implemented by July 2027. He added that while the report may take time to be finalized, the 7th Pay Commission’s tenure will end in December 2025.
18 Months’ Arrears Expected
As per existing rules, the new pay commission could come into effect from January 1, 2026. If the recommendations are announced in July 2027, employees may receive arrears for 18 months, from January 2026 to July 2027.
Receiving 18 months of arrears would bring major financial relief to millions of central government employees. The commission will hold discussions with various stakeholders before finalizing its recommendations, which will then be approved by the government.
It is estimated that the 8th Pay Commission will benefit nearly 50 lakh central employees and 65 lakh pensioners, including defense personnel and retired staff.
Salary Hike Based on Fitment Factor
The salary and pension hike will primarily depend on the fitment factor. According to former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, the government is considering a fitment factor between 1.92 and 2.08. However, the National Council (JCM) and employees’ associations have recommended a higher fitment factor of 2.86 for the 8th Pay Commission.
Estimated Salary Hike for Different Employees
Based on a 2.86 fitment factor, here’s how much the salaries could increase:
- Peons and attendants : Current salary ₹18,000 → New salary approx. ₹51,480 (Increase of ₹33,480)
- Lower Division Clerk (LDC) : Current salary ₹19,900 → New salary approx. ₹56,914 (Increase of ₹37,014)
- Constables/skilled staff : Current salary ₹21,700 → New salary approx. ₹62,062 (Increase of ₹40,362)
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Stenographers/Junior Clerks : Current salary ₹25,500 → New salary approx. ₹72,930 (Increase of ₹47,430)
Estimated Arrears Amount
The 7th Pay Commission’s term ends in December 2025, and the 8th Pay Commission recommendations are expected around July 2027. Employees are demanding 18 months’ arrears from January 2026 to June 2027.
If the fitment factor is set at 2.86, salaries will see a significant rise, and employees will receive substantial arrears as well. For example, with an increment of ₹33,480 per month, the 18-month arrears could total approximately ₹6,02,640.
