Central government employees and pensioners are waiting for clarity on one big question, i.e., when will the 8th Pay Commission be implemented, and when will arrears be paid?
The government has already approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Pay Commission in November 2025. It has also given the panel 18 months to submit its report. The chairperson and some members have been appointed. But the final implementation date is still not officially announced.
Let us break down what we know so far.
WHEN WILL THE 8th PAY COMMISSION BE IMPLEMENTED?
The government has not fixed an implementation date yet. However, if past practice is followed, the revised pay structure is likely to take effect from January 1, 2026. This is because the 7th Pay Commission’s term ends on December 31, 2025.
In Parliament, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary clarified that, as per the Resolution notified on November 3, 2025, the 8th Pay Commission will submit its recommendations within 18 months from the date of its constitution.
WHEN WILL EMPLOYEES GET ARREARS?
Even if the report is submitted within 18 months, implementation may take additional time. However, whenever the government approves the recommendations, arrears are likely to be calculated from January 1, 2026.
CA Manish Mishra, Founder, GenZCFO, explained the likely scenario, “Arrears will likely be computed from January 1, 2026, the date that has been set as the end date for the 7th Pay Commission, even if payment is actually made later after the commission’s recommendations are cleared.”
HOW MUCH SALARY HIKE CAN EMPLOYEES EXPECT?
This is the next big question. While nothing is final yet, experts are looking at past commissions and current economic conditions to estimate possible increases.
Pratik Vaidya, Managing Director and Chief Vision Officer at Karma Management Global Consulting Solutions Pvt. Ltd., said expectations are being shaped by history and today’s economy.
“The 6th Pay Commission delivered roughly a 40% average hike, while the 7th Pay Commission’s overall impact on pay and allowances is often placed around 23–25%, with a uniform fitment factor of 2.57.”
He added that early projections for the 8th Pay Commission suggest a 20–35% increase, with a possible fitment factor in the 2.4–3.0 range.
However, he cautioned that these are only estimates.
“The final number will depend on inflation over the next 12–18 months, fiscal space after the 16th Finance Commission, tax buoyancy and political appetite. My own sense is that the government will try to balance a visible, feel-good hike with a more calibrated structure of allowances and DA resets.”
8th PAY COMMISSION WEBSITE LAUNCHED
The government has launched the official website of the 8th Pay Commission. The Commission has invited suggestions and inputs from ministries, departments, central government employees and other stakeholders.
The last date to submit responses is March 16, 2026. This shows that the process has formally started, but it will still take time before the final report is ready.
WARNING: NEW CYBER SCAM TARGETING EMPLOYEES
Meanwhile, a new cyber scam has emerged targeting central government employees.
Fraudsters are sending WhatsApp messages claiming to offer a quick preview of revised salaries under the 8th Pay Commission. These messages include a link and ask users to download an APK file, which is presented as a salary calculator. However, this file is malicious.
Once installed, it gives fraudsters remote access to the user’s phone. They can then steal personal information and even carry out unauthorised bank transactions.
Officials have warned employees not to click on unknown links or download files from unofficial sources.
Why this matters
The 8th Pay Commission directly affects more than one crore central government employees and pensioners. It influences salaries, pensions and financial planning. Because of this high interest, scammers are trying to exploit curiosity and urgency.
Employees are advised to rely only on official government announcements and avoid clicking on suspicious links.
For now, while the wait continues, one thing is clear, i.e., any arrears, if approved, are likely to be counted from January 1, 2026. But the actual payment will depend on when the government formally accepts and implements the 8th Pay Commission’s recommendations.
