The 8th Central Pay Commission is continuing consultations with employees, pensioners and their associations on issues related to salaries, allowances and retirement benefits. Among the key subjects being raised by employee and pensioner groups are the fitment factor, minimum pay, pension revision and the long-running debate over the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the National Pension System (NPS).
The Commission has been holding stakeholder interactions in different parts of the country. Its official schedule includes visits to Bengaluru on October 7–8, 2026, and Mumbai on October 22–23, following consultations in cities including Chennai, Puducherry, Chandigarh and Jaipur.
Employee Groups Seek Restoration of OPS
The question of pension security has become an important part of the submissions made to the 8th Pay Commission.
Employee organisations have raised concerns about the existing contributory pension arrangements and have sought restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for eligible employees. The demand is part of the representations submitted to the Commission and is not yet a government decision.
The 8th CPC invited memorandums and suggestions from central government employees, pensioners, service associations and other stakeholders. The submission window remained open until June 15, 2026.
Several employee bodies have also placed demands relating to higher minimum pay, changes in the fitment factor and improvements in pension benefits before the Commission.
Pensioners Seek ₹45,000 Minimum Pension
Pensioner organisations have also submitted proposals for changes in the pension structure.
The Bharat Pensioners’ Samaj has sought a minimum pension of ₹45,000 per month. It has also proposed fixing pension at 67% of the last pay drawn and family pension at 50% of the last pay drawn. These figures are demands made by the organisation and are not approved pension rates under the 8th Pay Commission.
Other pension-related proposals have also been submitted by different employee and pensioner organisations during the consultation process. The Commission will consider the representations received before preparing its recommendations.
When Will the 8th Pay Commission Report Come?
The 8th Central Pay Commission was constituted by the Government of India on November 3, 2025. According to the government’s Terms of Reference, the Commission is required to make its recommendations within 18 months of its constitution.
Based on this timeline, the report is expected around May 2027. However, the final implementation of any recommendations will depend on the Central Government’s decision after the Commission submits its report.
Therefore, demands for OPS restoration, a higher minimum pension and changes to pension calculations should currently be viewed as proposals under consideration rather than confirmed changes.
The final outcome will depend on the recommendations made by the 8th Pay Commission and the government’s subsequent decision on those recommendations.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes. The pension amounts, OPS restoration and other changes mentioned above are demands or proposals submitted by employee and pensioner organisations unless specifically stated otherwise. They should not be treated as approved government benefits. The final pension structure and implementation will depend on the recommendations of the 8th Central Pay Commission and the decisions of the Central Government.