8th Pay Commission: Govt Officially Responds To Question Regarding Terms Of Reference; Acknowledges That...

Amidst heightened anticipation around the setting up of pay panel under the 8th Pay Commission, Terms Of Reference (ToR) and appointment of chairman and member, the government has officially responded on ToR in Parliament.

Member of Parliament, Bhubaneswar Kalita had asked the government if the latter has received suggestions regarding setting up the terms of reference.

Kalita asked: (a) whether Government has received any suggestion from the National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) for framing the terms of reference for Eighth Central Pay Commission, if so, the main suggestions of the council;

(b) whether these suggestions are being considered by Government;

(c) whether Government is planning to involve all stakeholders in the Commission; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

Minister Of State In The Ministry Of Finance Pankaj Chaudhary responded saying that it has received suggestions from the National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM), as part of the stakeholder consultation. Chaudhary added that Inputs have been sought from major stakeholders, including Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Personnel & Training and from States.

To examine the existing structure of pay, Allowances and other benefits /facilities, retirement benefits like pension / gratuity and other terminals benefits etc. to the following categories of employees:-

1. Central Government employees-industrial and non-industrial. 2. Personnel belonging to All India services. 3. Personnel belonging to the Defence Forces and Para Military Forces. 4. Personnel called as Grameen Dak Sewaks belonging to the Postal Department. 5. Personnel of Union Territories. 6. Officers and employees of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. 7. Officers and employees of the Supreme Court. 8. Members of Regulatory bodies (excluding RBI) set up under Act of Parliament. 9. Employees of Central Government Autonomous Bodies and Institutions.

Suggestions were also received that the 8 CPC should consider the merger of non-viable Pay scales such as Level with Level — 2 and Level — 3 with Level — 4 and Level — 5 with Level — 6. Staff Side NC(JCM) also suggested govt to settle the various 7th CPC Anomalies which the Staff Side raised in the Anomaly Committee meetings and JCM meetings, among major ToR demands.

Meanwhile, DoPT has decided to extend the last date for submission of applications till 31.07.2025. This is the third extension that DoPT has proposed, thus possibly meaning that the applications from eligible candidates for these key posts in the pay panel has yet not been received yet.

Earlier it DoPT had proposed to fill up the 4 posts of Under Secretary (Level 11) in the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) on deputation basis under the Central Staffing Scheme under D/o Expenditure. The applications were invited for the post vide circular of even number dated 22.04.2025.

According to the Staff Side, the continued delay in the formal issuance of the ToRs has led to widespread speculation and uncertainty among central government employees and pensioners. It further stated that in the absence of clear and timely communication, apprehensions are growing among employees about the credibility of the announcement regarding the setting up of the 8th CPC. Many fear whether this move is a genuine administrative initiative or otherwise.