Showdown over the 8th Pay Commission and Old Pension Scheme! Employee Union Submits List of Demands—Find Out What's Included..

The Staff Side of the National Council (Joint Consultative Machinery - NC JCM) has written a letter to the 8th Pay Commission, expressing concerns regarding the current process for submitting memoranda. In this letter, the representatives have highlighted several key issues and proposed measures to make this process more inclusive, comprehensive, and effective.

The Joint Consultative Machinery serves as a platform where employee representatives and government officials discuss service-related matters and resolve disputes through dialogue. This development holds significant importance for Central Government employees and pensioners, as the upcoming 8th Pay Commission will directly impact their salaries, pensions, and service-related benefits. The letter places the employees' concerns—particularly those related to pensions—at the center of the discourse.

What did the letter state?
Dated April 1, 2026, the letter was addressed by the Staff Side to Pankaj Jain, the Member Secretary of the 8th Pay Commission. The letter was dispatched by Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary of the Staff Side of the NC JCM. Citing previous correspondence and discussions, the Staff Side noted that various stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the existing framework and limitations of the memorandum submission process. The letter emphasized the need to resolve these issues to ensure maximum participation in the process and to facilitate the receipt of more detailed suggestions. The letter stated that these concerns are being widely voiced by stakeholders, and that necessary modifications must be implemented to ensure a more inclusive, comprehensive, and effective system for submitting memoranda.

The List of Demands:
Increasing the Word Limit: The body has deemed the current limit of 3,500 characters—equivalent to approximately 500 words—to be inadequate. Therefore, the organization has requested that the word limit for each subject be increased to at least 1,000 words, so that meaningful and comprehensive memoranda can be submitted.

**Clear Provisions for Sub-questions:** The organization noted that the current format lacks clear provisions for addressing all sub-questions or sub-headings falling under each subject. The organization has called for a structured format, asserting that respondents should be provided the facility to answer every sub-question systematically, without any restrictions.

**Provision for Submitting Views on Pension Reforms (NPS/UPS/OPS):** One of the most critical issues highlighted in the letter concerned the problems associated with the NPS (National Pension System) and UPS (Unified Pension Scheme). The organization demanded the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) under the CCS Rules. The letter asserted that no contributory pension scheme should be imposed upon government employees.

**Inclusion of Pensioners' Issues:** The Staff Side demanded the creation of specific provisions to address pension-related issues; these include retirement benefits, pension revisions, parity in pensions, restoration of the commuted value of pensions, pension enhancements, and other welfare measures.

**Welfare Provisions for Women Employees:** The organization proposed that a separate section be included to address issues concerning women. These include workplace safety, maternity benefits, welfare measures related to menstrual health, Child Care Leave (CCL), and gender equality policies.

**Department-Specific Issues:** The letter emphasized that various government departments face unique challenges specific to their respective domains. Therefore, it is suggested that a provision be established allowing for the submission of suggestions or proposals regarding department-specific issues, thereby facilitating better policy formulation. Extension of the Deadline for Submitting Proposals: The Staff Side has requested additional time for consultations regarding department-specific issues and has proposed a new deadline of May 31, 2026, for the submission of memoranda. The organization stated that various federations, unions, and associations require more time to consult with their affiliated bodies across the country.

Increasing the Attachment Size Limit: The letter also drew attention to the technical constraints associated with submitting memoranda, noting that the current limit is restricted to just 2 MB. It proposed that this limit be increased to 10 MB. Doing so would facilitate the submission of detailed reports, annexures, and data.

Expanding the Methods for Submitting Proposals: In addition to online submission, the letter suggested that various entities be permitted to submit their proposals or representations via email and hard copy, alongside the online medium. The organization wrote, "This will ensure accessibility, minimize technical hurdles, and provide an alternative channel for communication."

The Staff Side has expressed its interest in continuing its dialogue with the Commission. In the letter, the organization stated, "We would like to hold a meeting with the 8th Central Pay Commission on any mutually convenient date after April 13, 2026."

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