8th Pay Commission: Central government employees have made a strong case for a comprehensive revision in salaries, pensions, and service rules under the 8th Central Pay Commission. In a detailed memorandum submitted on April 14, the staff side of the National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) has outlined wide-ranging demands that go far beyond routine pay revisions. At the centre of the proposal is a call to raise the minimum basic salary to Rs 69,000, along with a fitment factor of 3.83.
The employees’ body has also suggested reinstating the earlier practice of merging dearness allowance (DA) with basic pay once it reaches 25 per cent, a move aimed at better reflecting inflationary realities.
The memorandum stresses that the current compensation structure is outdated and fails to align with rising living costs and evolving consumption patterns. Instead of incremental changes, it advocates a complete reset of the system.
In addition to salary revisions, the proposal includes restructuring of cadres, doubling the annual increment rate from 3 per cent to 6 per cent, and simplifying the existing pay matrix. The goal is to eliminate overlapping pay levels and streamline career progression, especially for employees in lower and middle tiers who often face stagnation.
Family-Centric Policy Changes In Focus
A notable aspect of the proposal is its stress on modern, family-oriented policies. The NC-JCM has recommended recognising a five-member family unit, including dependent parents, and introducing clear provisions for surrogacy and adoption. It has also pushed for improved and standardised paternity leave, underlining the importance of shared parenting responsibilities. The memorandum calls for equal leave benefits for employees who become parents through non-traditional routes, ensuring fairness across different family structures.
The demands extend to pensioners as well, with a call to align their benefits with the revised pay framework. This includes extending updated pay structures to those who retired before the implementation of the new system.
While the proposals could significantly increase government expenditure, the memorandum argues that such spending should be seen as “investment” due to its potential to boost consumption and drive economic growth.
If implemented fully, these recommendations would impact nearly 5 million employees and 6.5 million pensioners, including defence personnel. However, the final decision will depend on the Pay Commission’s assessment of fiscal feasibility and broader economic conditions.
