8th Pay Commission Takes Shape: Arrears From January 1, 2026, Pay Hike After Report

Overview

• Employees and pensioners will not see higher pay from January 1, 2026, as revisions will begin only after the Commission’s report is approved by the government.
• Arrears are expected to accrue from January 1, 2026, following the government’s note that effects are normally counted from that date.
• The panel, chaired by Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai with Pankaj Jain as member‑secretary and Pulak Ghosh as part‑time member, has an 18‑month timeline that points to mid‑2027 for recommendations.
• Roughly 50 lakh serving employees and about 65–69 lakh pensioners are covered, with analysts estimating a sizeable fiscal impact and unions seeking clarity on the date of effect in the terms of reference.
• Fitment factor outcomes will drive pay changes, with early estimates spanning roughly 1.83–2.46 and no current proposal to merge Dearness Allowance with basic pay.