8th Pay Commission: In early November 2025, the central government constituted the 8th Pay Commission and approved its Terms of Reference (ToR). Millions of employees and pensioners across the country are eagerly awaiting the commission’s report and the government’s implementation.
8th Pay Commission: In early November 2025, the central government constituted the 8th Pay Commission and approved its Terms of Reference (ToR). Crores of employees and pensioners across the country are eagerly awaiting the commission’s report and the government’s implementation. The key question is whether the commission will be able to submit its report within the stipulated 18-month deadline, or will it need an extension? Several pay commissions have previously requested extensions. Therefore, employees also want to know whether the government can provide interim relief if the report is delayed, as was the case with the 5th Pay Commission.
What are the experts’ opinions?
Experts believe that it typically takes one to two years for a pay commission to be implemented. For example, the 7th Pay Commission was formed in 2014 and implemented in approximately 29 months. The 6th Commission also took 22 months. Given this pattern, experts believe that the 8th Pay Commission could also be implemented in approximately two years. The commission has 18 months, but after submitting its report, it must obtain approval from the Group of Ministers, the Cabinet, and other departments, which takes another four to six months. Many representatives of employee organizations say that if the commission seeks an extension, the total time could extend to approximately two years.
When will the 8th Pay Commission be implemented?
All eyes are also on whether the central government will implement the 8th Pay Commission before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections. Some experts believe that giving a pay hike before the elections in such a large state could be politically beneficial for the government. But some officials from employee organizations say that implementing it before the February 2027 UP elections is nearly impossible. In such a situation, the government may opt for interim relief, such as a few percent interim increase in basic pay. Such relief was granted three times during the 5th Pay Commission.
What if there’s a delay?
If the process is delayed, could the government drag it out until the 2027 Rajasthan elections or the 2029 Lok Sabha elections? Experts say such a long delay is unlikely. Since the ToRs were approved in November 2025, the entire process is expected to be completed within two years, making implementation likely by the end of 2027 at the latest. Before the Pay Commission report can be implemented, several necessary steps must be completed—data collection, financial impact estimation, review by the Empowered Committee of Secretaries, inter-ministerial consultations, and final Cabinet approval. Currently, all preliminary processes are progressing rapidly, so it’s hoped that employees and pensioners will receive a concrete update soon.
