8th Pay Commission: When will salaries increase with arrears? What's the latest update on the 8th Pay Commission?

8th Pay Commission: While there's no confirmation about when the 8th Pay Commission will be implemented, it's being reported that the Commission may submit an interim report by December 2026.

8th Pay Commission: Millions of central government employees and pensioners are eagerly awaiting the 8th Pay Commission. The biggest question on people's minds is when the 8th Pay Commission will be implemented, when will arrears be paid, etc. The government has already approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Pay Commission in November 2025. The Commission will submit its report to the central government within 18 months.

The Commission is headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. At present, there's no definitive word on when the 8th Pay Commission will be implemented. The government has not yet set a date for its implementation. However, it is being reported that the Commission may submit an interim report by December 2026, while the final report is expected by 2027.

When will the arrears be paid?

Even if the report is submitted within 18 months, it may take longer to implement it. However, whenever the government approves the recommendations, the arrears are likely to be calculated from January 1, 2026.

According to an India Today report, CA Manish Mishra, founder of GenZCFO, said, "The arrears are likely to be calculated from January 1, 2026, the deadline set for the 7th Pay Commission, even if the payment is made only after the Commission's recommendations are approved."

How much will the salary increase be?

The exact salary increase under the 8th Pay Commission is also unclear. The 6th Pay Commission saw an average increase of approximately 40%. Under the 7th Pay Commission, a uniform fitment factor of 2.57 was established, resulting in an average salary increase of 20–35 percent. Under the 8th Pay Commission, a salary increase of 20–35 percent is anticipated.

With a fitment factor of 2.4 to 3.0, the minimum basic salary could increase from ₹18,000 to approximately ₹30,000 to ₹32,000. However, if a 3.25 fitment factor is implemented, the same ₹18,000 salary would increase to ₹58,500. Most employee representatives are demanding a 3.25 fitment factor.