8th Pay Commission Implementation: How Long Will It Take Compared to the 5th, 6th and 7th Commissions?

The much-awaited 8th Pay Commission continues to be a hot topic among central government employees. Despite the announcement made in January 2025, there has been little progress in the past nine months regarding the commission’s official notification, Terms of Reference (ToR), or member appointments. This delay has left nearly 50 lakh central government employees uncertain about when they can expect a salary revision. Based on previous timelines, experts believe the implementation may not happen before 2028.

Why Is There a Delay?

While the government confirmed the formation of the 8th Pay Commission earlier this year, no concrete steps such as appointing members or releasing the ToR have been taken yet. Historically, after a pay commission is set up, it takes around two to three years to prepare and submit a report, followed by government review and approval. Considering this timeline, employees may need to wait until 2028 for full implementation.

A Look Back: Timeline of Previous Pay Commissions

5th Pay Commission

• Constituted in April 1994

• Submitted report in January 1997

• Recommendations implemented from January 1996
  This commission simplified pay scales and provided relief against inflation.

6th Pay Commission

• Set up on 20 October 2006

• Report submitted in March 2008

• Recommendations accepted in August 2008 and implemented retrospectively from January 2006
  The 6th Pay Commission was transformative as it introduced pay bands and grade pay. The minimum monthly salary was raised to ₹7,000, significantly higher than the ₹4,450 recommended by the previous commission.

7th Pay Commission

• Formed in February 2014

• ToR finalized by March 2014

• Report submitted in November 2015

• Approved by government in June 2016 and implemented retrospectively from January 2016
  This commission restructured pay and allowances, benefiting a large number of employees across sectors.

Current Status of the 8th Pay Commission

So far, the government has not released the list of members or the ToR for the 8th Pay Commission. If past trends are any indication, it could take nearly two years for the commission to draft and submit its report once it is fully constituted. After that, additional time will be required for the government to review and approve the recommendations. This makes a 2028 rollout most likely.

Why the 8th Pay Commission Matters

The new pay structure is expected to directly benefit around 50 lakh central government employees, including defense personnel. Additionally, nearly 65 lakh pensioners—including retired defense staff—are likely to see improved pensions once the recommendations are implemented.

Pay Commissions play a critical role in revising the salary structure, allowances, bonuses, and other benefits for government employees. They take into account inflation, the state of the economy, income disparities, and other socio-economic factors. The 8th Pay Commission, therefore, is not just about higher pay—it will have a direct impact on household budgets, employee morale, and economic activity.

Bottom Line

While employees are eager for clarity, the reality is that the 8th Pay Commission’s implementation may take until 2028. Drawing from the experiences of the 5th, 6th, and 7th commissions, it is clear that the process involves multiple stages—formation, report preparation, submission, review, and final approval. Until the government officially notifies the commission and defines its scope, employees will need to remain patient.