8th Pay Commission Chairman Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the constitution of the much awaited eighth pay commission. It was formally approved almost 10 months after the Commission’s announcement. The central government has given the commission 18 months to submit its recommendations. Salaries and pensions of government employees will be increased based on these recommendations.
Who is Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai?
Former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Commission. At the same time, IIM Bangalore professor Pulak Ghosh and Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary Pankaj Jain were inducted as members and member secretaries respectively.
Justice Ranjana Desai is the chief of the Delimitation Commission. In addition, she was also appointed as the chairperson of the committee set up to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Served in many roles
After retiring from the Supreme Court in 2014, she served in several important roles. Born on October 30, 1949, Ranjana Prakash Desai graduated from Elphinstone College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He obtained his law degree from Government Law College, Mumbai in 1973.
What does the 8th Pay Commission do?
According to an official release, the 8th CPC will function as an ad hoc body with one Chairperson, one part-time member and one member-secretary. The panel is expected to submit its final report within 18 months of its formation, but may also issue interim reports on specific issues if necessary.
The commission’s mandate is broad. is crucial. It assesses existing wage structures, reviews service conditions, examines the economic context while maintaining the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. It also analyzes the fiscal impact of pension liabilities, the impact of its recommendations on state finances, and comparative wage trends in the public and private sectors.
Implementation timeline: Countdown to 2026
After a decade since the implementation of the 7th CPC in 2016, the recommendations of the 8th CPC are expected to come into effect from January 1, 2026. Once formed, the commission usually takes 12 to 18 months to finalize its report, which is then reviewed by the finance ministry before sending it to the cabinet for approval. This means full implementation could come in late 2026 or early 2027.
Officials said the upcoming pay commission aims to balance financial prudence with employee welfare. With inflation and cost of living rising, the Commission’s proposals are expected to provide meaningful relief to 4.7 million central government employees and pensioners.
Pensioners’ wish list: Affordable pensions, faster access
With the 8th Pay Commission now officially on track, expectations are high among pensioners. The unions are demanding that the minimum pension be increased from Rs.9,000 to Rs.25,000 per month to reflect the current cost of living realities. This nearly three-fold increase, if implemented, would provide relief to low-income retirees. Improves dignity after retirement.
Another important demand is to reduce the eligibility period for full pension from 15 years to 12 years of service. Experts believe the change will benefit mid-career employees, encourage longer service periods and help retain experienced staff in key government departments.
8th Pay Commission Employee Salary Hike
The fitment factor, a key metric that determines pay revisions, is expected to fall between 1.83 and 2.46. A higher factor salary leads to a more substantial increase in pensions. Analysts suggest that the 8th CPC could be one of the most employee-friendly wage revisions in recent times, aimed at ensuring parity between inflation and income growth.
Additionally, government employees may see improvements in gratuity limits, provident fund contributions, and healthcare coverage under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). These measures will increase the financial security of current and retired employees.
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