Countdown Begins: 7th Pay Commission ends soon, 8th Commission expected to raise salaries
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, December 22, 2025:For central government employees and pensioners, December 31, 2025, is an important date as the term of the 7th Pay Commission will officially end on that day. Following this, the 8th Pay Commission is expected to be implemented, after the central government approved its terms in October 2025.
Based on official practices, the new pay structure could be considered effective from January 1, 2026.
The 8th Pay Commission, which started in November 2025, has been given approximately 18 months to submit its recommendations on salaries, allowances, and pensions to the government.
Experts suggest that there may be a gap between the effective date (January 1, 2026) and the actual payment. Similar to the 7th Pay Commission, the new pay hike and arrears are likely to be received during 2026-27.
While no official figures have been released yet, estimates based on previous commissions indicate:
- 6th Pay Commission: Average hike ~40%
- 7th Pay Commission: Average hike ~23-25% (fitment factor 2.57)
For the 8th Pay Commission, initial estimates suggest a 20% to 35% increase.
The fitment factor is expected to range between 2.4 and 3.0, potentially benefiting lower-level employees significantly. The final decision will depend on factors such as inflation, the government’s financial position, and tax revenues.