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The Seventh Pay Commission ends in December 2025, raising anticipation for the Eighth Pay Commission. While recommendations may be effective from January 2026, salary hikes and arrears may take longer due to government approvals and financial considerations.
How much will salaries increase after the 8th Pay Commission? (Image Source: Internet)
New Delhi: The term of the Seventh Pay Commission is set to end on December 31, 2025. This has created both anticipation and uncertainty among millions of central government employees and pensioners regarding the Eighth Pay Commission.
The general expectation is that the new pay commission will be effective from January 1, 2026, but the government has not yet made any formal announcement regarding salary increases, fitment factor, or arrears.
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Based on the experience of previous pay commissions, there has always been a gap between the effective date and the actual payment. For example, the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission were considered effective from January 2016, but cabinet approval was received in June 2016, and the arrears were paid in phases much later.
Currently, the Ministry of Finance has given the Eighth Pay Commission approximately 18 months to submit its recommendations. It is estimated that the commission's final report may be available by mid-2027.
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This means that even if the new pay commission is considered effective from January 1, 2026, it may take time for the increased salaries and arrears to reach employees' accounts.
There were also delays in the implementation of salary increases under the Seventh Pay Commission. The fitment factor was 2.57, resulting in an average increase of 23 to 25 percent. In comparison, the Sixth Pay Commission saw an increase of approximately 40 percent.
Based on this comparison, employees are hoping that the Eighth Pay Commission will bring a better increase than the previous one. However, this will entirely depend on the government's financial situation, inflation rate, and economic priorities.
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Therefore, employees must be mentally prepared that even if the new pay commission is announced, it may take time to receive the increased salaries and arrears, as has been observed in the past.
Central government employees and pensioners must approach the situation with patience and understanding. It is natural to be excited about the commission's announcement, but it may take time to receive the actual benefits.
