8th Central Pay Commission Approved : Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to Lead Panel; Implementation from January 1, 2026

 

Breaking Update

8th Central Pay Commission Approved

Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to lead panel; implementation from January 1, 2026

New Delhi • October 28, 2025 8th CPC 2026 Pay Commission

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1. Overview
2. Highlights
3. Leadership & Composition
4. What to Expect
5. Timeline
6. FAQs

Policy Update

Union Cabinet Clears ToR for the 8th Central Pay Commission

The Union Cabinet has approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), setting the stage for a comprehensive review of pay, allowances, and pension structures for central government personnel. The recommendations are planned to take effect from January 1, 2026, potentially benefiting around 49 lakh employees and pensioners.

Key Highlights

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Coverage: About 49 lakh employees and pensioners

Scope: Pay, allowances, and pension revision

Approach: Transparent, data-driven, inflation-aware

Leadership & Composition

Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the 8th CPC. Joining the legal profession in 1973, Justice Desai brings deep judicial experience to guide the Commission’s work.

Role	Name & Designation
Chairperson	Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India
Part-time Member	Professor Pulak Ghosh, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore
Member-Secretary	Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas

Why this matters: The blend of judicial, academic, and administrative expertise is designed to balance employee welfare with fiscal prudence.

What to Expect from the 8th CPC

• Recommendations for rational salary revision across pay levels
• Updated allowance structure aligned to current economic realities
• Refined pension framework for retirees
• Emphasis on transparency and data-driven methodology

Editor’s note: Specific pay matrices or DA changes will be known only after the Commission’s detailed report is finalized and accepted by the Government.

Indicative Timeline

The Commission will undertake studies and consultations before submitting its report. Post acceptance by the Government, the revised structures are slated to be enforced from January 1, 2026.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the 8th CPC come into force?
From January 1, 2026, subject to final approval.

Who is heading the Commission?
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, former Supreme Court judge.

Who else is on the panel?
Professor Pulak Ghosh (Part-time Member) and Pankaj Jain (Member-Secretary).

How many people will be impacted?
Approximately 49 lakh central government employees and pensioners.

More 8th CPC Updates Go to Home

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