8th Pay Commission: Govt Non-Committal on Jan 1, 2026 Arrears in Parliament

• Central government employees and pensioners await clarity on the 8th Pay Commission, especially regarding arrears from January 1, 2026.
• The Finance Minister stated in Parliament that the government will decide the implementation date, with no firm commitment on arrears from January 1, 2026.
• The 8th Pay Commission's report is expected by mid-2027, with implementation likely in late 2027 or early 2028.
• Historically, pay commissions have granted arrears from an earlier date, even if implemented later.
• The government typically excludes House Rent Allowance (HRA) from arrears calculations, potentially reducing employee benefits.

Why It Matters: Government employees face uncertainty over 8th Pay Commission arrears from Jan 1, 2026.