8th Pay Commission: When Will Arrears Arrive? Key Dates & Tax Impact Revealed

• 8th Pay Commission expected effective January 1, 2026, with 7th Pay Commission ending December 31, 2025.
• Cabinet approval anticipated early/mid-2025, formal notification around November 2025, with final recommendations by late 2026 or early 2027.
• Implementation delays are common; full benefits, including arrears, expected retrospectively from January 1, 2026.
• Arrears will cover the period from January 2026 until implementation (e.g., May 2027), including DA, HRA, and other allowances.
• Arrears are fully taxable, potentially pushing employees into the 30 percent tax slab, but will boost consumption and the economy.

Why It Matters: Central government employees await 8th Pay Commission arrears from January 1, 2026, despite likely implementation delays and tax implications.