8th Pay Commission Implementation Date, Arrears Update: When Will Central Govt Employees Get Salary Hike and How Much Increase Is Expected?

New Delhi, February 20: Central government employees and pensioners are eagerly awaiting clarity on the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission and payment of arrears. While the government has approved the Terms of Reference in November 2025, the final rollout date is yet to be officially announced.

When Will 8th Pay Commission Be Implemented?

As per past practice, the revised pay structure is likely to come into effect from January 1, 2026. The tenure of the 7th Pay Commission ends on December 31, 2025, making January 1, 2026 a probable starting point for the new pay structure. 8th Pay Commission: When Will Salary Hike Be Implemented and How Much Arrears Can Central Govt Employees Expect?

In Parliament, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that, according to the Resolution notified on November 3, 2025, the 8th Pay Commission will submit its recommendations within 18 months from the date of its constitution. Although the chairperson and some members have been appointed, the exact implementation timeline will depend on when the report is submitted and approved by the government.

When Will Employees Receive Arrears?

Even if the Commission submits its report within the stipulated 18 months, implementation may take additional time. However, experts believe that arrears are likely to be calculated from January 1, 2026, regardless of when the actual payment is made.

CA Manish Mishra, Founder of GenZCFO, said arrears will likely be computed from January 1, 2026, which marks the end of the 7th Pay Commission period, even if the revised salaries are credited later after Cabinet approval. 8th Pay Commission Latest News: Centre To Announce DA Hike in March? 2% to 5% Rise in Dearness Allowance Likely.

How Much Salary Hike Can Employees Expect?

While no official figures have been announced, estimates are being drawn from previous pay commissions and current economic conditions.

Pratik Vaidya, Managing Director and Chief Vision Officer at Karma Management Global Consulting Solutions Pvt. Ltd., noted that the 6th Pay Commission delivered an average hike of around 40 percent, while the 7th Pay Commission had an overall impact of about 23 to 25 percent with a uniform fitment factor of 2.57.

According to early projections, the 8th Pay Commission may recommend a salary increase in the range of 20 to 35 percent, with a possible fitment factor between 2.4 and 3.0. However, experts caution that the final decision will depend on inflation trends over the next 12 to 18 months, fiscal space after the 16th Finance Commission, tax collections and the government’s fiscal priorities.

8th Pay Commission Website Launched

The government has also launched the official website of the 8th Pay Commission and invited suggestions from ministries, departments, central government employees and other stakeholders. The last date to submit responses is March 16, 2026.

While the process has formally begun, central government employees and pensioners may need to wait until the Commission submits its report and the government takes a final call on implementation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2026 03:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).