8th Pay Commission: Big news for central government employees! Note down the date: February 12th..

If you are a central government employee, a pensioner, or preparing for a government job, then mark February 12, 2026, on your calendar. Because on this day, a confrontation between the central government and employee unions is likely to occur. The largest organization of central government employees has announced a one-day national strike – and the issue is not just about salaries. The issues include the terms of the 8th Pay Commission, merging DA with basic pay, pensions, OPS (Old Pension Scheme), bonuses, gratuity, and the government's overall employee policy.

If you are a central government employee, this is not just news; it's a direct update related to your salary, pension, and future terms of employment. This strike is not sudden, but a result of long-standing dissatisfaction regarding the 8th Pay Commission.

Employee organizations allege that the government is not listening to the employees' concerns while determining the terms of the Pay Commission.
It is delaying decisions on issues like DA, pensions, and OPS.
And the salary structure is lagging behind the rate of inflation.

Why a strike on February 12th? And what does it have to do with the 8th Pay Commission?
Because employees feel that the government is going to make a "half-hearted decision" regarding the 8th Pay Commission. The 8th Pay Commission is becoming a "formality" for them, not a source of "relief."

Who has announced the strike?
The Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers represents employees from various central government departments across the country. On January 23, 2026, the organization submitted a formal strike notice to the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India.

General Secretary's clear statement
In the notice, the General Secretary of the Confederation, S.B. Yadav, clearly stated:

“The government is ignoring the genuine problems of employees and pensioners while determining the terms of the 8th Pay Commission. Delaying decisions on fundamental issues like DA, pensions, OPS, and bonuses is an injustice to the employees. If the government does not take concrete steps in time, the employees will be forced to resort to agitation.” This is not just a warning, but a declaration of confrontation. Strike Notice at a Glance
Organization: Confederation of Central Govt Employees & Workers
Signed by: S.B. Yadav (Secretary General)
Notice Date: January 23, 2026
Strike Date: February 12, 2026
Issues: 8th CPC, DA, Pension, OPS, Bonus, Gratuity

What are the main demands of the employees?
Let's understand each demand clearly and in order.

1. Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Pay Commission should be changed
What is the problem?

Employees say that the Terms of Reference of the 8th CPC:
Do not include suggestions from employees and pensioners
Do not provide clear guidelines on salary, allowances, and pension
Have ignored the recommendations of NC-JCM (Staff Side)
What is the demand?

The suggestions of the Confederation and NC-JCM should be added to the terms of the 8th CPC.

2. 50% DA merged into Basic + Interim Relief
Why is this important?

DA has now crossed 50%. In every previous Pay Commission, 50% DA was merged into the basic pay.
Demand: 50% DA/DR should be merged into Basic Pay/Pension
20% Interim Relief (IR) should be given from January 1, 2026
So that the pressure of inflation is reduced until the 8th CPC is implemented.

3. OPS vs. NPS: The biggest dispute
Employees' direct demand:

NPS/UPS should be abolished
The Old Pension Scheme (OPS) should be restored for all employees
Also, There should be no discrimination among pensioners based on their retirement date

4. 18 months of DA during the Covid period
What happened?

18 months of DA/DR were withheld during Covid
Demand: All three installments should be released immediately
The commuted pension should be restored in 11 years, not 15 years

5. Bonus, PF, and Gratuity
The Confederation demands:

All limits on bonus should be removed, the ceiling on PF eligibility and payment should be removed, and the maximum amount of gratuity should be increased.

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