8th Pay Commission News: NEW DELHI- In a significant development following the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), the National Council (Joint Consultative Machinery) has formally submitted a detailed representation to the Commission’s Member Secretary, Pankaj Jain. The letter, dated April 1, 2026, outlines critical demands aimed at restructuring the compensation and welfare framework for central government employees.
Primary Demand for Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
The National Council (JCM) has placed the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) at the forefront of its agenda. Secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra stated that widespread dissatisfaction exists regarding the National Pension System (NPS) and the Unified Pension System (UPS).
The Council argues that government employees should not be governed by any contributory pension model. Instead, they are advocating for a return to a non-contributory pension scheme. Additionally, the JCM has proposed specific provisions for pensioners, focusing on pension parity, the revision of post-retirement benefits, and the timely restoration of commuted pension values.
Specialized Provisions for Women and Departmental Issues
A notable highlight of the memorandum is the call for a dedicated section within the 8th Pay Commission’s framework to address the specific needs of women employees. The JCM has urged the Commission to formalize policies regarding:
- Enhanced workplace safety and security.
- Maternity benefits and Child Care Leave (CCL).
- The introduction of menstrual leave.
The Council further emphasized that different departments face unique operational challenges. Consequently, they have requested that the memorandum structure allow for department-specific grievances to be recorded separately to ensure more targeted policy interventions.
Proposed Technical Reforms in Submission Process
The JCM has identified several technical bottlenecks in the current online system for submitting memoranda. To ensure data-driven arguments are presented effectively, the Council has requested the following changes:
- Word Limit Increase: Expanding the limit from 500 words to a minimum of 1,000 words.
- File Size Adjustment: Increasing the attachment limit from 2 MB to 10 MB.
- Submission Channels: Enabling submissions via email and hard copies, alongside the digital portal, to accommodate all levels of staff.
Deadline Extension and Scheduled Consultation
Citing the need for extensive consultations with various unions and organizations across the country, the JCM has requested the Commission to extend the deadline for submitting departmental memoranda to May 31, 2026.
Furthermore, Secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra has proposed a face-to-face meeting with the 8th Pay Commission members on any convenient date following April 13, 2026, to discuss these nine key points in greater detail. The outcome of these discussions is expected to set the tone for the central government’s fiscal and administrative relationship with its workforce for the coming decade.
