8th Pay Commission Latest Update: Employee Bodies to Meet Soon to Finalise Salary Hike Demands

New Delhi, January 23: Central government employees and pensioners awaiting clarity on the 8th Pay Commission may finally see meaningful progress. According to a report by The Economic Times, employee unions are preparing to initiate formal discussions as the groundwork for the next pay revision gathers pace.

The office of the 8th Pay Commission has now been set up in New Delhi, marking an important administrative milestone. As the process moves forward, major employee and pensioner organisations are scheduled to meet in the national capital on February 25, 2026, to consolidate their demands ahead of submissions to the commission.

8th Pay Commission Office Begins Functioning

With the establishment of the pay commission’s office, the consultation phase is gradually taking shape. This development has triggered preparatory action from employee bodies that represent lakhs of serving and retired central government staff.

The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on drafting a common memorandum that will outline demands related to pay revision, allowances and service conditions. This memorandum will later be formally submitted to the 8th Pay Commission once the consultation window opens.

Why the February 25 Meeting Is Crucial

The February 25 meeting will be held under the banner of the National Council (Staff Side), part of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) that represents central government employees in talks with the government.

In a letter to drafting committee members, NC-JCM secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra noted that once the pay commission starts full operations, the council may be asked to submit its memorandum on common service matters. The meeting will take place at 13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi, beginning at 10:30 am.

The objective is to decide the process and methodology for preparing a unified document that reflects employee expectations before the pay commission.

Who Will Participate in the Discussions

Representatives from a wide range of central government departments have been invited to the meeting. These include employee and pensioner associations from Railways, Defence, Posts, Income Tax and several other central government services.

According to sources quoted by ET, the broad participation is aimed at ensuring that diverse departmental concerns are taken into account while framing common demands for the 8th Pay Commission.

Key Issues Likely to Be Discussed

Discussions will primarily revolve around pay revision and related service matters. Proposals submitted by recognised employee bodies typically cover issues such as:

• Basic pay revision

• Fitment factor for salary restructuring

• Minimum wage levels

• Allowances and benefits

• Service conditions for employees and pensioners

The meeting may continue for up to a week, during which detailed deliberations will take place to reconcile differing views and arrive at a consensus.

What Happens After the Draft Is Finalised

Once the NC-JCM finalises its draft memorandum, the 8th Pay Commission will formally invite inputs from stakeholders, including central government bodies and state governments. After reviewing submissions and conducting interviews, the commission will prepare its final report.

While employee demands carry weight, the final recommendations depend on the commission’s own analysis and government approval. For central government employees and pensioners, the February 25 meeting represents an early but significant step toward the long-awaited 8th Pay Commission pay revision.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2026 12:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).