8th Central Pay Commission Launches Official Website and Public Consultation Process
The 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) has officially launched its dedicated website and initiated a structured public consultation process. This marks a pivotal step in the comprehensive review of salaries, pensions, and various allowances for central government employees and pensioners across India.
Structured Feedback Collection Through MyGov Portal
According to an official statement published on the Commission's new website, the 8th CPC is actively soliciting views, opinions, and inputs to ensure its recommendations are well-informed and comprehensive. This feedback is being gathered in a highly structured format via a detailed questionnaire featuring 18 key questions, which is currently hosted on the MyGov.in web portal.
The Commission explicitly stated: "Responses are invited from a wide array of stakeholders including ministries, departments, state and union territories, serving government employees, Union Territory staff, judicial officers, court employees, members of regulatory bodies, associations or unions representing both serving and retired personnel, pensioners, researchers, academicians, and interested individuals."
The Commission has assured all participants that the identities of respondents will be kept strictly confidential. Any data collected will be analyzed and subsequently disclosed only in an aggregated, non-attributable form to protect individual privacy.
Submission Guidelines and Participation Details
The deadline for submitting responses to this crucial questionnaire has been set for March 16, 2026. The Commission has made it clear that all submissions must be made exclusively through the MyGov portal. Paper-based physical responses, emails, or PDF submissions will not be accepted or considered by the panel.
To ensure maximum participation and inclusivity, the questionnaire has been made available in both English and Hindi. This move is designed to facilitate broader engagement from stakeholders across different linguistic backgrounds.
Background and Formation of the 8th Pay Commission
The formation of the 8th Central Pay Commission was first announced by the government in January 2025. It was formally notified by the Ministry of Finance on November 3, 2025, along with the official approval of its Terms of Reference (ToR).
The Commission has been allocated a timeframe of 18 months to finalize and submit its comprehensive recommendations regarding the revision of pay structures, pensions, and various allowances. Office space has been designated for the Commission's operations in the national capital, New Delhi.
Scope of the Questionnaire and Policy Questions
The consultation process has been deliberately opened to an extensive stakeholder base. Eligible participants include:
- Central government employees and Union Territory employees
- Judicial officers and staff working in various courts
- Members and employees of regulatory bodies across sectors
- Associations or unions representing both serving and retired employees
- Pensioners, researchers, academicians, and other interested individuals
The questionnaire delves into significant macro and structural policy questions, such as:
- What guiding philosophy should shape the 8th CPC's recommendations, considering factors like economic growth, inflation, and fiscal constraints?
- How should the fitment factor be determined in the context of salary revisions?
- How should increments be structured across different pay scales and grades?
- How should top-level government salaries be benchmarked against other sectors?
Implementation Timeline and Arrears Calculation
The government has not yet announced a specific implementation date for the 8th CPC's recommendations. In a reply to the Lok Sabha in December 2025, Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, clarified: "The date for implementing the 8th Central Pay Commission will be decided by the government. The government will make appropriate provisions of funds for implementing the accepted recommendations of the 8th CPC."
Regarding potential arrears, experts indicate that calculations generally follow a standard formula. Ramachandran Krishnamoorthy, Director of Payroll Services at Nexdigm, explained that arrears are typically computed as the monthly pay difference multiplied by the number of delayed months. This usually includes the difference in basic salary and the dearness allowance (DA) on the revised basic pay. The final arrears amount is contingent upon the delay period, which industry observers estimate could range between 18 to 24 months depending on the final implementation timelines.
Significance of the 8th Pay Commission
The 8th Central Pay Commission holds substantial importance as its recommendations are expected to directly influence the income levels and consumption patterns of millions of households linked to government employment. The Commission's findings will likely reshape salary structures, pension payouts, and various allowances across all central government departments and affiliated organizations, having a wide-ranging economic and social impact.
