As part of the first such visit, the 8th CPC members are scheduled to visit Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on 24 April. Sources stated that detailed discussions are likely to take place regarding the pay revision, where these employee bodies are expected to make their submissions before the members of the commission.
   
Sources stated that these visits are likely to provide a vital platform for input, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered in the recommendations of the 8th CPC.

The Commission has already launched an online portal for memorandums, with a deadline of 30 April 2026, and issued a questionnaire for structured inputs.

State Consultations

These visits are expected to provide a localised chance for Central government organisations, institutions, employee unions and associations to present their views directly before the commission members.

Such interactions offer invaluable first-hand accounts and regional insights, sources said. More such visits are likely to follow over the next few months. These interactions are expected to help the commission in reaching a practical salary structure for the employees. A proactive approach to actively engage with stakeholders is seen as an attempt at ensuring robust and fair final recommendations.

Demands By Employee Bodies

Several employee bodies have already put forth a charter of demands to the Narendra Modi government, suggesting modifications to the Terms of Reference (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.

Higher compensation for the risk and hardship of the railways and defence employees has also been demanded. Employees of Railways, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and defence civilian employees face unique risks, hardships and responsibilities, so their pay and allowances must reflect these realities.

The Beneficiaries

There are an estimated 7.5 million Central government employees in the country, which includes defence personnel, the Railways, and public sector undertakings. 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 for the 8th CPC, its recommendations are yet to be submitted.

The government, in November last year, asked the 8th CPC to submit its recommendation report within 18 months. Due to this delay, employees' bodies want the government to merge DA with the basic pay.