8th Pay Commission: Government Set to Answer in Parliament Today

Crucial update awaited on formation delays, implementation timeline, and salary revision hopes

New Delhi: 21 July 2025

Over 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners are awaiting a crucial update today as the Finance Ministry is scheduled to respond to four key parliamentary questions related to the long-awaited 8th Pay Commission.
Raising the issue in Parliament, DMK MP T.R. Balu and Singh and Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadoria have sought clarification on the following issues:

• Whether the commission has been formally notified;
• Why appointments for members have been delayed;
• The present status of the Terms of Reference (ToR); and
• The timeline for recommendation of revised pay scales.

Despite an announcement in January 2025, the timeline of the commission’s work is moving at a snail’s pace. Although positions are advertised for under-secretary level officers, basic appointments and ToR are yet to be made. There are increasing concerns that the Malghunathan Commission will not meet its targeted operational deadline of January 2026.

Having historically taken 18–24 months to review and submit recommendations to the government, it remains to be seen, if past timelines hold and previous delays remain, there will be no revised pay scales for employees before 2027.

The reply to Parliament this week marks a watershed: either it can restore hope for a much-awaited 34% increase in salary or continue to signify bureaucratic delays.

The pay raise carries broader economic consequences than just for civil servants. If the increase is delivered in a timely fashion it can spur spending that will support the economy, indirectly stimulate economic activity, and will be pertinent on the public purse.

Parliament has the spotlight now, as a single response could deliver financial leverage over the lives of millions.

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