The Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting major changes in the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the newly formed 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC).
According to the union, the current ToR does not clearly address the concerns of nearly 69 lakh pensioners, especially issues related to pension revision, pension parity, and the future of pension schemes.
Key Concerns Raised by the Confederation
No implementation date mentioned:
The union insists the 8th CPC should be implemented from January 1, 2026, in line with the 10-year cycle of previous pay commissions.
Term “unfunded cost” criticised:
The ToR uses the phrase “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes.”
The union calls this insensitive, citing Supreme Court judgments that consider pension a constitutional right, not a financial burden.
Demand for a clear mandate on pensions:
The union wants the 8th CPC to:
Revise the pension structure
Ensure pension parity for all retirees
Restore commutation after 11 years
Provide additional pension every five years for senior citizens
Improve CGHS services
Restructure CGEGIS
Old Pension Scheme (OPS) demand repeated:
The Confederation argues that 26 lakh employees who joined after April 1, 2004 are unhappy with the NPS and the new Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
They want the CPC to examine all schemes and recommend the best one.
Inclusion of more employees:
The union wants employees of autonomous bodies, statutory institutions and Gramin Dak Sevaks brought under the 8th CPC.
Request for 20% Interim Relief:
Citing rising inflation and delays, the Confederation has asked for 20% interim relief for around 1.2 crore employees and pensioners.
About the 8th CPC
Approved on October 28, 2025, the 8th Central Pay Commission is expected to submit its report within 18 months, with likely implementation in January 2026.
It is expected to benefit:
50 lakh central government employees
65 lakh pensioners
The CPC will significantly impact salaries across states as well, potentially affecting 2.5 crore employees and pensioners nationwide. The total financial burden could reach ₹3.7–3.9 lakh crore annually.
