The 8th Pay Commission: Why Government Employees Might Have to Wait Until 2028

For millions of central government employees and pensioners, all eyes are on the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, a routine yet highly anticipated event that happens roughly every ten years.While the government approved its constitution in January 2025, the wait for the official notification and the appointment of its members continues, causing a stir of anticipation and anxietyPay Commissions are set up by the government to review and recommend changes to the salary structure, allowances, and pension benefits for its workforceThese revisions are crucial to help employees and retirees cope with the rising cost of living and inflation. The last one, the 7th Pay Commission, was implemented back in 2016.Why the Delay? A Look at the TimelineHistorically, these commissions take time. From the day they are formed to the day their recommendations are implemented, the process can take anywhere from two to three years.The 7th Pay Commission, for instance, took nearly three years to be fully implemented.Given this precedent, even though the 8th Pay Commission was greenlit in early 2025, many believe its financial benefits may not be fully realized until 2028. However, there's a silver lining. The recommendations are typically applied retrospectively from January 1, 2026, meaning employees will receive arrears for the delayWhat Are People Expecting?The core of the Pay Commission's work revolves around the "fitment factor," a multiplier used to calculate the new basic pay.While nothing is official, expectations are high.There are talks of significant hikes, with some reports suggesting the minimum basic pay could jump from the current Rs 18,000 to around Rs 34,560 or even higher.Employee unions are actively pushing for salary and pension revisions that reflect the current economic realities. They are also seeking improvements in various allowances and retirement benefits. For pensioners, a key expectation is a substantial increase in the minimum basic pension, which currently stands at Rs 9,000As things stand, over a crore employees and pensioners are eagerly awaiting the next steps from the government. While the recent 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) has provided some relief, the focus remains firmly on the long-term revisions promised by the upcoming Pay Commission.For now, it’s a waiting game, with hopes pinned on an official announcement coming soon.