8th CPC Memorandum Submission Window Open Till April 30 For Employees, Pensioners, & Stakeholders

The clarification has been made to remove any confusion regarding the consultation process. The 20 April cut-off applied only to unions and associations seeking early interaction with the Commission during its initial meetings.

Sources pointed out that all other aspiring participants, stakeholders, including government employees, pensioners and associated organisations, still have time to submit their inputs.

As of 21 April, the consultation phase remains active, making this a critical time for stakeholders to contribute to decisions that will shape future pay structures, salaries and pensions.

More Meetings

The 8th CPC has clarified that additional meetings will be held across Delhi, Maharashtra, and other states across the country. This has been done to ensure wider stakeholder participation in the consultation process.

The 8th CPC shall schedule interactions in New Delhi on April 28, 29 and 30. While the Commission will be visiting Pune, Maharashtra, on May 4 and 5. The Secretariat had earlier reported that as part of the first such consultation, the Commission will visit Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on 24 April.

Who Benefits

There are an estimated 7.5 million Central government employees in the country, which includes defence personnel, the Railways, and public sector undertakings (PSUs). Moreover, about 69 lakh pensioners in the country are eagerly awaiting the 8th CPC’s recommendations.

Although the government has approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th CPC, its recommendations are yet to be submitted.

In November last year, the government asked the 8th CPC to submit its recommendation report within 18 months.

The Central government established the 8th Pay Commission to review and recommend changes to the allowances, salary structures and pension benefits of central government employees and pensions.

Several employees' bodies have already put forth a charter of demands to the Narendra Modi government, suggesting modifications to the ToR of the 8th CPC on the revision of emoluments of the employees and pensioners.  

The demands submitted to the Union Cabinet Secretary have also sought the merger of the 50% DA/DR with the basic pay/pension and the grant of 20% of pay/pension as interim relief from 1 January 2026.  They have sought the scrapping of the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for all employees. And have suggested that "no distinctions amongst pensioners be made, based on factors like date of retirement".

Contractual employment has been opposed, and an end to outsourcing in different Central government jobs has been sought.

Relief Provided

In a major relief to government employees and pensioners, the Narendra Modi government had last week approved a hike of 2% in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for employees of the Central government, effective from 1 January 2026.

The decision brings temporary respite to employees; it was taken against the backdrop of rising demands by employee unions for a complete revamp of the salary structure. The DA has been increased from 58% to 60% of the basic pay.