8th Pay Commission Delay: Govt Clarification Explained
The 8th Pay Commission delay has been clarified by the Ministry of Finance. Contrary to ongoing rumours, no formal proposal is under consideration as of now. Central government employees expecting revised salary slabs will have to wait longer, as confirmed in a recent Rajya Sabha reply.
What the Government Said
In a written response dated 23 July 2025 to Rajya Sabha Question No. 973, the Ministry of Finance clarified:
“No proposal is under consideration for setting up the 8th Central Pay Commission to revise salaries, allowances and pension of Central Government employees.”
This reply, made by Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, puts a temporary pause on expectations of any near-term implementation.
Source: Rajya Sabha Q973, Session 264, Ministry of Finance – Official PDF
Why Is the 8th Pay Commission Important?
The Pay Commission revises pay structure, DA (Dearness Allowance), and other benefits of:
- Central government employees
- Defence personnel
- Pensioners
What’s the Impact of the Delay?
1. No Immediate Salary Revision
Employees will continue to receive existing salary and DA as per 7th CPC.
2. DA Hike Will Continue as Interim Relief
Twice-a-year DA revisions (based on CPI-IW index) will still go on.
3. Budgetary Allocations Unchanged
The Union Budget 2025–26 made no provision for CPC-related pay outlays.
Why Did the Govt Not Announce the 8th CPC Yet?
Experts point to three main reasons:
- Fiscal burden: The Centre is focusing on fiscal consolidation.
- DA mechanism is working: Regular DA hikes have offset inflation to some extent.
- Economic uncertainty: Global headwinds and elections may have influenced this stance.
🔍 Expert View (CA Amit Rathi): “It’s likely that the Centre may wait for FY 2026–27, when macroeconomic stability improves, before taking a call on 8th CPC.”
Past Pay Commissions: A Snapshot
| Pay Commission | Effective Year | Basic Pay Hike | Time Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th CPC | 1996 | ~20–30% | 10 years |
| 6th CPC | 2006 | ~40% | 10 years |
| 7th CPC | 2016 | ~23.5% | 10 years |
| 8th CPC | Pending | TBD | 2026? |
What Central Employees Should Do
- Do not fall for fake news about 8th CPC implementation dates.
- Track official updates via https://finmin.nic.in or https://pqars.nic.in.
Will There Be Any Relief Before 8th CPC?
Possibly. The government may consider:
- One-time fitment factor hike
- DA merger with basic pay
- Pension revision formula review
FAQ: 8th Pay Commission
Q1. Is the 8th Pay Commission confirmed?
No. The Finance Ministry has officially stated that no proposal is under consideration.
Q2. When is it expected?
If the 10-year cycle holds, it may be formed around FY 2026, post-Lok Sabha elections.
Q3. Will DA continue to be revised?
Yes. Biannual DA revisions will continue as usual based on the inflation index.
Summary
The Finance Ministry clarified there is no proposal for the 8th Pay Commission as of July 2025. Employees will continue under the 7th CPC framework, with DA hikes serving as interim relief.Stay tuned to official portals for updates.