Overview
- Officials and media reports note Jan. 1, 2026 as the reference date, but pay and pension changes await the commission’s report and government notification.
- The 8th Pay Commission was notified in November 2025 with roughly 18 months to submit recommendations.
- Economists and legal experts project rollout in 2027 or later, with arrears paid in a lump sum for the period since January 2026 and taxed under normal income tax rules.
- Until implementation, pay continues under 7th CPC norms with DA at 58% from July 1, 2025 and the next hike due Jan. 1, 2026, after which DA would be merged into the new basic when revised scales are notified.
- An employee federation has proposed merging 50% of DA into basic if DA nears 74% by early 2028 and suggested a 2.64 fitment factor and a larger family unit for minimum wage, proposals not adopted by the government.