The long-awaited countdown for the 8th Central Pay Commission has officially begun, sparking immense excitement among 1.15 crore central government employees and pensioners. Formed under the leadership of retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, the commission has commenced operations from its New Delhi headquarters.

Pay Hike Expectations: The 8th CPC recommendations are slated to be effective from January 1, 2026, as the 7th Pay Commission’s tenure ends on December 31, 2025. While the commission has 18 months to submit its final report (by May 2027), employees will receive arrears from January 2026. Unions are pushing for a Fitment Factor of 3.25. If approved, the minimum basic salary could surge from ₹18,000 to approximately ₹58,500, and minimum pensions may exceed ₹25,000.

Currently, the government is inviting feedback via the MyGov.in portal through a digital questionnaire. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a stern warning against viral ‘Salary Calculator’ APK files or links on WhatsApp, which are being used by cybercriminals to defraud employees.