When will 8th Pay Commission be fully implemented? How much arrears will be paid? Basic salary could increase from…

New Delhi: Reports say that the 8th Pay Commission may have to wait until 2028 to be fully implemented. The Union Cabinet approved it in January, but no official notification has been issued, nor have the terms of reference been finalised, nor has the list of commission members been released. However, it will be implemented from January 1, 2026, meaning employees will receive two years’ arrears.

The implementation of the new Pay Commission will benefit more than 50 lakh central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners. The basic salary of Level 1 central government employees could increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 44,000. The Commission may apply a fitment factor of 2.46.

How much salary rise is expected in 8th Pay Commission?

The amount of increase in basic salary depends on the fitment factor and DA merger. In the 7th Pay Commission, the fitment factor was 2.57. In the 8th Pay Commission, it may be 2.46.

DA starts from zero in every Pay Commission. This is because the new basic salary has already been increased, keeping inflation in mind. After this, DA again increases gradually.

Current DA is 55% of the basic pay

Currently, DA is 55% of the basic pay. With the removal of DA, the increase in total salary (basic + DA + HRA) may appear slightly less, because the 55% DA component will be removed.

Why might the 8th Pay Commission take until 2028?

Each Pay Commission typically takes two to three years from setup to implementation. 2025 is still three months away.

Even if the Commission is formed quickly, it will take time to prepare the report, obtain government approval, and finalise everything. Looking at previous commissions, this pattern is evident.

Full implementation by 2028 does not mean that benefits will be available only in 2028. Pay Commissions come every 10 years.

The 7th was implemented in 2016, so the “effective date” of the 8th is set for January 1, 2026. This means that salary and pension increases will be calculated from this date.

HIGHLIGHTS

• When will the 8th Pay Commission be fully implemented?
• The 8th Pay Commission may have to wait until 2028 to be fully implemented.
• The Union Cabinet approved it in January, but no official notification has been issued.
• It will be implemented from January 1, 2026, meaning employees will receive two years’ arrears.

The implementation of the new Pay Commission will benefit more than 50 lakh central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners. The basic salary of Level 1 central government employees could increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 44,000.