The 8th Central Pay Commission is conducting a three-day visit to Chandigarh from September 16 to 18, 2026, as part of its ongoing consultations with central government employees, pensioners, unions, associations and other stakeholders.
The Commission’s official schedule confirms the Chandigarh visit, with appointments open to eligible organisations and representatives who submitted their requests within the specified deadline. Stakeholders from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh are participating in the consultation process.
The meetings are part of the Commission’s wider exercise to collect views, representations and data before making recommendations on pay, allowances, pensions and other service-related matters.
Why the Chandigarh Consultations Matter
Since beginning its consultation process, the 8th Pay Commission has been gathering inputs from employees, pensioners, associations and other groups. The Commission had also invited structured responses from central government employees, defence personnel, pensioners, service associations and unions, among others. The submission window for memorandums was open until June 15, 2026.
The Chandigarh meetings provide employee and pensioner representatives from the region an opportunity to put forward their concerns directly before the Commission.
Issues such as pay revision, allowances, pension-related matters and service conditions have featured prominently in representations submitted during the consultation process. The views presented during these meetings will form part of the information available to the Commission while preparing its recommendations.
8th Pay Commission: What Issues Could Be Discussed?
The Commission has not issued a separate detailed agenda for the Chandigarh meetings. However, several subjects fall within the broader scope of its Terms of Reference and have also featured in representations submitted by employee and pensioner organisations.
These include revision of the fitment factor and basic pay structure, changes in allowances, salary adjustments in line with prevailing economic conditions, and issues concerning Dearness Allowance.
Employee representatives have also raised matters related to House Rent Allowance, transport allowance and other components of compensation. Pension revision and retirement-related financial security are additional areas expected to remain important during consultations.
The Commission’s Terms of Reference also cover issues concerning the existing pay, allowances and other benefits of central government employees and pensioners, along with broader considerations related to personnel policies and financial implications.
Who Is Heading the 8th Central Pay Commission?
The 8th Central Pay Commission is headed by former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. Prof Pulak Ghosh is the part-time member, while Pankaj Jain serves as the Member-Secretary. The Commission was formally constituted by the Government of India on November 3, 2025.
The Commission has been given 18 months to submit its report. Based on the official constitution date, that period extends into 2027. The Commission is therefore continuing its consultation and information-gathering process before finalising its recommendations.
The Chandigarh visit is one of several state and Union Territory consultations being conducted by the panel. According to the Commission’s official schedule, its next listed state visit is Bengaluru on October 7 and 8, 2026.
At this stage, no final decision has been announced on the fitment factor, salary structure, allowances or pension revision. Any changes will depend on the recommendations eventually submitted by the 8th Pay Commission and the subsequent decisions of the government.