8th Pay Commission: Employees’ 15 big demands – Interim relief, at least 5 promotions and more!

8th Pay Commission: Employees’ 15 big demands – Interim relief, at least 5 promotions and more! - "The meeting between the Staff Side and DoPT covered various issues affecting employees and pensioners, with a particular focus on Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR)."

8th Pay Commission Latest News: The Staff Side of the National Council Joint Consultative Machinery (NC JCM), in its meeting with the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), raised key concerns affecting over 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners. These employees are eagerly anticipating the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission, expected to take effect from January 2026.

As a representative body negotiating on behalf of central government employees, the NC JCM Staff Side responded to a letter from the DoPT by submitting the proposed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the upcoming 8th Pay Commission. The new pay panel is anticipated to be implemented next year.

The meeting between the Staff Side and DoPT covered various issues affecting employees and pensioners, with a particular focus on Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR).

In an earlier letter, Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary, NC JCM (Staff Side), emphasized the importance of holding a Standing Committee Meeting to discuss the details thoroughly before finalizing the Terms of Reference (ToR).

Here are 15 demands the Staff Side of NC-JCM wants to be included in the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission:

15 Key Demands of NC JCM Staff Side for finalizing ToR for 8th Pay Commission:

Revision of Pay Structure and Benefits – The NC JCM Staff Side demands that the Terms of Reference (ToR) direct the 8th Pay Commission to comprehensively review and revise pay scales, allowances, pensions, and retirement benefits for all categories of central government employees, including industrial and non-industrial staff, All India Services, Defence and Para-military personnel, Gramin Dak Sevaks, and others.

Implementation of Revised Pay Scales from 2026 – The revised salary structure should come into effect from January 1, 2026, ensuring a fair and just revision of pay and benefits.

Minimum Wage Based on Cost of Living – The ToR should ensure that minimum wages are determined based on the 15th Indian Labour Conference (1957) recommendations, with modifications to reflect modern-day cost of living. This includes an increase in the family consumption unit from 3 to 3.6.

Merger of Lower Pay Levels – The Staff Side recommends merging non-viable pay levels, such as Level 1 with Level 2, Level 3 with Level 4, and Level 5 with Level 6, to reduce wage disparities and improve salary structures.

Eighth Pay Commission, A Major Relief for Central Employees

Rectification of MACP Anomalies – The Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme should be reformed to ensure at least five career promotions and a structured, well-defined promotional hierarchy.

Interim Relief for Employees and Pensioners – The ToR should include provisions for granting immediate interim relief to central government employees and pensioners before the finalization of the 8th Pay Commission recommendations.

Merger of DA/DR with Basic Pay and Pension – Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) should be merged with basic pay and pension to mitigate the impact of inflation on employees and pensioners.

Resolution of 7th Pay Commission Anomalies – The panel should address and rectify pending anomalies from the 7th Pay Commission, as raised in JCM meetings and anomaly committees.

Improvement in Pension and Retirement Benefits – The ToR should include measures for better pension policies, including the restoration of the commuted pension portion after 12 years, periodic pension hikes every five years, and ensuring pension parity between past and future retirees.

Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) – The Staff Side strongly recommends reinstating the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) for employees recruited after January 1, 2004.

Enhancement of CGHS & Medical Benefits – Implementation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee’s recommendations for cashless medical treatment and hassle-free healthcare services under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is essential.

Increase in Children Education Allowance – The scope of the Children Education Allowance (CEA) and Hostel Subsidy should be extended up to the postgraduate level to support employees' children in higher education.

Restoration of Interest-Free Advances – The Staff Side demands the reinstatement of essential interest-free advances for government employees, which were previously abolished.

Risk and Hardship Allowance for Railway Employees – Considering the challenging working conditions of railway employees, the ToR should include provisions for risk and hardship allowance for all categories of railway staff.

Special Allowance for Defence Civilian Employees – The ToR should ensure the provision of Special Risk Allowance, insurance coverage, and compensation for Defence civilian employees handling hazardous tasks involving arms, ammunition, chemicals, and explosives.

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