The Central Government has finally issued a key clarification on the 8th Pay Commission, ending weeks of speculation among central employees and pensioners. An official reply in the Lok Sabha on 8 December 2025 confirms that while the Commission has been constituted and its Terms of Reference (ToR) notified, the implementation date will be decided only after the recommendations are submitted.
The update came through an unstarred question (No. 1347) raised by multiple MPs, seeking clarity on salary revision, pension updates and fund allocation for the upcoming Pay Commission.
8th Pay Commission Already Constituted
In his written reply, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that the 8th CPC has already been set up and the Terms of Reference were officially notified on 3 November 2025.
The Commission is responsible for restructuring pay, allowances and pensions for millions of beneficiaries.
Over 1.19 Crore People Expected to Benefit
The Minister shared updated workforce numbers:
- Central Government Employees: 50.14 lakh
- Pensioners: 69 lakh
This puts the total number of beneficiaries at nearly 1.19 crore, making the 8th Pay Commission one of India’s largest financial reform exercises.
Implementation Date Not Yet Finalised
On the key question of whether the 8th CPC will be implemented from 1 January 2026, the Government clarified that no fixed date has been finalised.
The implementation timeline will depend on:
- Submission of the Commission’s report
- Cabinet approval
- Budgetary considerations
Funds Will Be Allocated in Budget After Approval
Regarding financial allocation, the Government assured that adequate funds will be provided in the Union Budget once the recommendations are approved. However, no estimate of expenditure has been disclosed yet.
Stakeholder Consultations in Progress
Though the reply did not detail point-by-point consultations, it indicated that the Commission is functioning as per its ToR, which includes:
- Interacting with central employee associations
- Engaging with pensioner bodies
- Seeking inputs from State Governments
Grievances Over Delay Acknowledged
MPs also highlighted concerns of employees and pensioners regarding the delay in operationalising the Commission. The Government responded that the Commission is already operational, and its recommendations will be processed promptly once submitted.
When Will the Report Come?
The Government has not provided a specific date for the submission of recommendations. The timelines for both:
- Report submission, and
- Final implementation
will be decided internally and announced later.
