The 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) is set to be effective from January 1, 2026, but over 1 crore central government employees and pensioners will continue under the 7th Pay Commission framework until the new pay structure is officially approved and notified. Anticipation is high regarding salary hikes, pension revisions, allowances, and fitment factors, as government employees and pensioners await the rollout details.
The government approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) in October 2025. The commission may take up to 18 months to submit its recommendations, which will form the basis of the revised salary structure.
Who Will Benefit from the 8th Pay Commission?
The 8th Pay Commission is primarily aimed at central government employees, but some categories may not be included:
- Private sector employees are excluded.
- Contract-based or temporary staff outside Central Civil Services rules may not receive direct benefits.
- State government employees will benefit only if state authorities adopt the CPC recommendations.
- PSU employees are generally outside the scope, unless the organization chooses to implement CPC pay scales.
- Employees of autonomous bodies will benefit only if their organizations follow central government pay rules.
Central government pensioners typically benefit from pay commission revisions, though final eligibility will depend on official government notification rules.
Across India, approximately 50.14 lakh central government employees and 69 lakh pensioners are waiting for the benefits expected under the 8th Pay Commission 2026. Once approved, the government will allocate the required budget, as the financial implications are expected to be significant.