8th Pay Commission: Only 7 Days Left! Big Update on 8th Pay Commission, How Much Will Salary Increase?

8th Pay Commission: Significant and promising news has emerged for central government employees just before the year ends. With only 7 days left, the calendar is about to flip to 2026. There is a strong possibility that the 8th Central Pay Commission will come into effect right from the beginning of this new year. Central government employees and pensioners have been waiting eagerly for this moment. It is anticipated that the new pay structure could be effective from January 1, 2026. According to various experts and sources, this is expected to result in a significant salary increase for employees.

Will the 8th Pay Commission be Effective in 2026?

A major question currently on the minds of employees is whether the increased salary and arrears will be credited to their accounts immediately after the implementation of the new pay commission. To find the answer, we need to look at past experiences. Usually, after a pay structure is revised, it takes some time for the money to actually reach the employees. According to government rules, the term of the 7th Pay Commission officially ends on December 31, 2025. Immediately after this, the 8th Pay Commission is scheduled to commence from January 1.

However, experts suggest that while the new pay structure may be effective on paper from January 1, 2026, there might be some delay in receiving the actual increased salary and arrears in hand. Past pay commissions have also shown a time gap between the announcement and actual disbursement. Therefore, employees should be mentally prepared that the increased salary might not reflect in their bank accounts immediately at the start of the new year, although the process will have begun.

Timeline and Government Actions on Salary Determination

In a significant move in October 2025, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the terms of reference for the 8th Pay Commission. The commission has been given a timeframe of approximately 18 months starting from November 2025 to submit its recommendations. During this period, the commission will examine various aspects of salaries, allowances, and pensions and submit its report. This means the process of submitting recommendations and their final acceptance is time-consuming.

How Much Salary Increase Can Be Expected?

Speculation is rife about exactly how much the employees’ salaries will increase once the 8th Pay Commission is implemented. Although the government has not yet released any specific figures, preliminary estimates by experts are quite optimistic. Based on current economic conditions and data from previous commissions, a potential scenario has been projected.

Below is a comparison of various pay commissions and the expected increase under the 8th commission:

According to experts, the fitment factor in the 8th Pay Commission is expected to range between 2.4 and 3.0, which could bring a substantial change in employees’ salaries. However, until the final announcement is made, all of this remains in the realm of estimation.