The Modi government announced the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) on January 16, 2025, giving a much-awaited boost to over 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners. However, nine months later, there is still no official notification, no Terms of Reference (ToR), and no panel members appointed, creating uncertainty and frustration among employees’ unions.
Why 2028 Is Being Speculated
Going by past patterns, a Pay Commission usually takes two to three years from constitution to implementation. If the 8th CPC follows the same trajectory, recommendations may only materialise in 2028, although they will be applicable retrospectively from January 1, 2026. This implies employees will eventually receive arrears, but the long wait for actual salary and pension hikes could continue.
Past Pay Commission Timelines
- 6th Pay Commission
- Constituted: October 2006
- Report submitted: March 2008
- Approved: August 2008
- Implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2006
- Time taken: ~22–24 months
- 7th Pay Commission
- Constituted: February 2014
- ToR finalised: March 2014
- Report submitted: November 2015
- Approved: June 2016
- Implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2016
- Time taken: ~33 months
The trend clearly shows a 2–3 year gap between commission constitution and implementation.
Current Status of 8th CPC
- Announced: January 16, 2025
- ToR & Members: Not announced (as of September 2025)
- Process: Yet to begin
If the panel is set up by late 2025 or early 2026, the report may take until 2027, with government review and approvals likely pushing final implementation to early 2028.
Why This Commission Matters
The 8th CPC goes beyond salary hikes. It will redefine:
- Basic pay scales
- Allowance structures
- Pension revisions
- Dearness allowance (DA) recalculations
- Future retirement benefits
With inflation and cost of living steadily rising, timely implementation is crucial for financial stability.
Expert Views and Employee Expectations
Economists and HR experts caution that employees should brace for a 2028 implementation if the 7th CPC cycle is repeated. The only silver lining: recommendations will be retrospective from January 2026, ensuring arrears are paid eventually.
Meanwhile, employees and unions continue to urge the Centre to expedite the process by finalising the ToR and appointing commission members at the earliest.
