If you’ve been following the buzz around the 8th Pay Commission, you already know emotions are running high. And honestly, I get why. When your salary revision decides how you keep up with rising prices, every delay stings.
Here’s the thing—almost 8 lakh Central Government employees from 130+ departments have now officially put their concerns before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their confederation has sent a detailed letter asking for eight major changes in the recently notified Terms of Reference (ToR) for the upcoming 8th CPC.
Think about that for a second: eight lakh voices asking for eight big corrections. Let’s break down what they want—and why it matters to you if you’re a government employee or pensioner.
1. The biggest ask: 20% interim relief, immediately
Employees say the delay in forming and implementing the 8th Pay Commission is already affecting their income. With inflation sitting like a weight on everyday expenses, they’ve asked for an instant 20% interim relief—a temporary hike to offset the loss caused by the delay.
They argue it’s not just about money; it’s about morale. When 1.2 crore workers keep the government machinery running, a confidence boost matters.
2. Clear implementation date: 1 January 2026
The confederation wants the ToR to explicitly mention that the revised pay should kick in from 01.01.2026. They believe the commission’s work should naturally align with this date, just like earlier CPCs.
3. Fair revision for pensioners
One point they strongly pushed for:
Parity in pension, whether someone retires before or after 1 January 2026.
They want pension and retirement benefits reviewed for all schemes—something many retirees have been waiting for.
4. Remove the term “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes”
This one might sound technical, but it’s actually emotional for pensioners.
The phrase makes them feel like their pension is a burden on the system rather than a right earned over decades of service. They want this wording removed and replaced with humane, welfare-oriented language—just like in earlier pay commissions.
5. Review of other retirement benefits
They’re seeking updates on:
- Restoration of commuted pension after 11 years
- Extra pension every 5 years after retirement
- Better CGEGIS benefits
- Proper healthcare support for aging pensioners
6. A serious demand: Bring back the Old Pension Scheme
Only about one lakh workers shifted from NPS to the new Unified Pension Scheme—most regret it. The confederation wants the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) added to the ToR for fair examination.
7. Extend 8th CPC benefits to autonomous bodies & GDS
Employees in autonomous organizations and Gramin Dak Sevaks also want to be covered under the new pay commission. Right now, they often wait years for parity.
8. Improve health schemes and CGHS
They’ve asked for more CGHS wellness centres, cashless treatment, and expanded coverage for employees and pensioners in autonomous and statutory bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will the 8th Pay Commission definitely start from 2026?
Employees want 1 January 2026 to be the official start date, but the government hasn’t confirmed it in the ToR yet. The confederation is pushing hard for clarity.
2. Is the 20% interim relief guaranteed?
Not yet. It’s a major demand from employee unions, but interim relief is granted only if the government approves it.
3. Will pensioners benefit from the 8th CPC?
Yes, if the requested revisions are accepted. Pensioners may get parity, revised benefits, and improved CGHS services.
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