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NC JCM Staff Side urges 8th Pay Commission to relax memo rules, seek OPS restoration, better pensioner and women provisions, higher limits, and extended deadline.
8th Pay Commission will replace 7th pay commission for the central government staff and pensioners.
8th Pay Commission: The Staff Side of the National Council under the Joint Consultative Machinery (NC JCM) has written to the 8th Pay Commission, raising concerns over the current memorandum submission process and suggesting several changes to make it more inclusive and practical.
The body, which represents employees in discussions with the government on service-related matters, said the existing framework restricts detailed inputs and wider participation from stakeholders.
This development is important for central government employees and pensioners, as the 8th Pay Commission’s recommendations will directly impact salaries, pensions, and overall benefits.
What the Staff Side Said in Its Letter
In a letter dated April 1, 2026, addressed to Member Secretary Pankaj Jain, the Staff Side highlighted concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding limitations in the current submission format.
The communication, sent by Secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra, stressed that the process needs to be more flexible to capture detailed and structured feedback.
According to the letter, the current system does not allow comprehensive responses, which could affect the quality of recommendations.
Key Demands Raised by NC JCM Staff Side
Increase in Word Limit for Submissions
The Staff Side pointed out that the current limit of around 500 words per theme is too restrictive. It has suggested raising this to at least 1,000 words to allow meaningful and detailed submissions.
Structured Format for Sub-Questions
The body noted that the present format does not clearly allow responses to sub-questions under each theme. It has recommended a more structured system where respondents can address each point separately.
Pension Reforms: Focus on OPS Restoration
A major issue raised in the letter is pension reform. The Staff Side flagged concerns over the National Pension System (NPS) and Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), and reiterated its demand to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) under CCS rules.
It argued that government employees should not be part of a contributory pension system.
Dedicated Section for Pensioners
The body also called for a separate section to address pensioners’ concerns, including pension revision, parity, restoration of commuted pension, and other welfare measures.
Women Employees’ Welfare Measures
The letter proposed a dedicated section focusing on women employees, covering workplace safety, maternity benefits, menstrual leave, child care leave (CCL), and gender equity policies.
Department-Specific Issues
Highlighting that different departments face unique challenges, the Staff Side suggested allowing submissions on department-specific concerns to improve policy outcomes.
Extension of Submission Deadline
The body has requested an extension of the deadline to May 31, 2026, stating that unions and federations need more time for consultations across the country.
Increase in File Size Limit
The current 2 MB attachment limit has been termed insufficient. The Staff Side has proposed increasing it to 10 MB to allow submission of detailed reports and supporting documents.
Multiple Modes of Submission
To improve accessibility, the letter suggested allowing submissions via email and hard copy in addition to the online system.
Current Progress on 8th Pay Commission
The 8th Pay Commission has already been constituted, and its recommendations are expected to shape the next revision in salaries and pensions for central government employees.
The new pay structure is likely to be implemented with effect from January 1, 2026, replacing the previous pay framework introduced under the 7th Pay Commission.
However, the final rollout will depend on when the Commission submits its report and when the Union Cabinet approves the recommendations.
When Will Salary Hike and Arrears Come?
Once the 8th Pay Commission submits its report, the government will review and approve the recommendations.
After Cabinet approval, the revised pay structure will be implemented. Since the effective date is expected to be January 1, 2026, employees are likely to receive arrears retrospectively for the period between the effective date and actual implementation.
April 05, 2026, 3:04 PM IST
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