The excitement was real. Talk of the 8th Pay Commission had spread fast, and for over a crore central government employees and pensioners, it felt like a much-needed relief was finally on the way. Salary hikes, revised pay scales, arrears — everything seemed close. But reality now points in another direction. The benefits might not show up before the end of 2027 or even early 2028.
Why is the process dragging?
The 7th Pay Commission is a reminder. Back then, the timeline stretched to almost two years and nine months from formation to actual rollout. And right now, the 8th Commission hasn’t even started properly.
Yes, the government announced it in January 2025, but six months later there’s still no Terms of Reference (ToR), no chairperson, no members. Without these basics, the process hasn’t moved. And the longer the delay at the start, the further away the finish line gets.
What the government has said so far
Finance Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary told the Rajya Sabha that the government has received several suggestions about the commission. A notification, he said, will be issued soon. He also assured that the commission will work within its timeline. But that timeline will only start once the ToR is finalized. At this point, it’s still on paper.
Why employees are worried
The last pay commission was implemented from 1 January 2016. By the 10-year cycle, the 8th Commission was due around 2024–25. But as of now, nothing concrete has happened. With rising inflation, the wait is getting harder. Employees and pensioners want to know when salaries will actually rise.
When can the hike really happen?
Insiders suggest that even if the government speeds things up, the actual implementation before early 2028 looks tough. True, timelines don’t always copy the previous commission exactly. But the mood on the ground? Uncertainty, delay, and no quick relief in sight.
👉 For now, the 8th Pay Commission remains a headline, not a reality. Government employees may need to wait a few more years before seeing any change in their pay packets.
8th Pay Commission: New update came on implementation of 8th pay Commission, know complete details
