8th Pay Commission: Salary Hike from 2026? Key Updates for Central Employees

• Central employees await the 8th Pay Commission as the 7th Pay Commission's term ends on December 31, 2025.
• The 8th Pay Commission was notified in November 2024 and is expected to submit its report by May 2027, with implementation by late 2027 or early 2028.
• Increased salaries are anticipated to be paid as arrears from January 1, 2026, though the Terms of Reference (ToR) don't explicitly state this, prompting unions to write to PM Narendra Modi.
• There is no current proposal to merge Dearness Allowance (DA) into basic pay; DA/DR will continue to be adjusted bi-annually based on inflation.
• Salary increases could range significantly based on the fitment factor (1.83 to 2.46), potentially raising the minimum basic salary from Rs 18,000 to Rs 32,940-Rs 44,280.

Why It Matters: Central employees anticipate the 8th Pay Commission's salary hike, likely with arrears from Jan 2026, despite implementation delays.