8th Pay Commission: State Govts Want Talks Before Final Report

Tue, 15 April 2025

13:09

States have told the Union finance ministry that the 8th Pay Commission, once constituted, should consult them before finalising its recommendations as they will also be impacted, a senior government official said.

The Cabinet cleared a proposal to constitute the 8th Pay Commission in January. Briefing reporters, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that there will be 'massive' consultations with state governments and other stakeholders in the central government and public sector units.

"The government will soon appoint the chairperson and two members of the 8th Pay Commission.' The official quoted earlier further said that while it took six months to constitute the 7th Pay Commission after announcement, the 8th Pay Commission will be constituted much sooner. "By and large, we have received comments from all stakeholders for the terms of reference. Comments from some states are awaited. Generally states adopt the central pay commission though with some delay. States are telling us this time that the 8th Pay Commission should hear their views as well," the official added.

"Unlike the Finance Commission, the Central Pay Commission is not obliged to conduct detailed consultation with states. A final decision on the matter has not been taken yet," he added.

The 8th Pay Commission is expected to take effect from January 1, 2026. It is likely to benefit around 4.5 million central government employees and 6.8 million pensioners, including defence personnel.

Central pay commissions are set up every decade to evaluate and suggest modifications to pay scales, allowances, and benefits for central government employees taking into account inflation and other economic factors.

The 7th Pay Commission had seen an expenditure increase of Rs 1 trillion in 2016-2017. It was established by then prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh on February 28, 2014. Its recommendations came into effect on January 1, 2016 under the Modi government.

In a post-Budget interview, Expenditure Secretary Manoj Govil had said that the impact of the 8th Pay Commission recommendations will start reflecting from 2026-2027.

Asit Ranjan Mishra, Business Standard

TOP STORIES

PIX: Punjab Kings crush RCB in rain-curtailed thriller

IMAGES from the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the Chinnaswamy stadium, in Bengaluru on Friday

Oppn shreds VP Dhankhar's 'super parliament' remark on SC

Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal has criticised Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for questioning the judiciary over the timeline for the president to take decisions, calling it \"unconstitutional\" and a lowering of the dignity of the...

India's concerns shelve Pak-Sri Lanka naval exercise

India's concerns over a planned naval exercise between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the strategically important waters of Trincomalee led to the shelving of the drills weeks ago. The exercise was planned as part of regular engagements...

Modi speaks to Elon Musk amid Trump tariff war

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Elon Musk, discussing the potential for collaboration in technology and innovation. Modi highlighted India's commitment to advancing partnerships with the US in these areas. The conversation...

8 cheetahs to be brought to India from Africa's Botswana

India is set to bring eight cheetahs from Botswana in two phases, with four arriving by May 2025. This follows the successful reintroduction of cheetahs to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, with the population now at 26, including 14...