8th Pay Commission: The Satff Side of the National Council Joint Consultative Machinery (NC JCM) in its meeting with the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) raised various issues concerning over 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners, who are eagerly awaiting the implementation of the 8th Pay commission from January 2026.
The NC JCM Staff Side is a group of representatives who negotiate with the government on behalf of central government employees.
Responding to a letter from the DoPT, the NC JCM Staff Side submitted the proposed ToR for the upcoming 8th pay panel, which is expected to be implemented next year.
The meeting between the Staff Side and DoPT focused on a range of issues impacting employees and pensioners, with special emphasis on Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR).
Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary, NC JCM (Staff Side), in his letter earlier, stressed the need for a Standing Committee Meeting to deliberate on the details before finalisation of ToR.
Here are 15 demands the Staff Side of NC-JCM wants to be included in the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission:
15 Key Demands of NC JCM Staff Side for finalizing ToR for 8th Pay Commission:
Review of Pay Structure and Benefits – The Staff Side wants the ToR to focus on suggesting the proposed pay panel to examine and revise the pay, allowances, pensions, and retirement benefits for central government employees, including industrial and non-industrial staff, All India Services, Defence and Para-military forces, Gramin Dak Sevaks, and other categories.
Revised Pay Scale from 2026 – It suggests ensuring a fair and comprehensive revision of salaries and benefits for central government employees effective from January 1, 2026.
Minimum Wage as per Cost of Living – The ToR should suggest determining minimum wages based on the 15th Indian Labour Conference recommendations (1957) with modifications to reflect modern living standards, including an increased family consumption unit from 3 to 3.6, the Staff Side of NC JCM wants.
Merger of Low Pay Levels – It wants panel to merge non-viable pay levels, such as Level 1 with Level 2, Level 3 with Level 4, and Level 5 with Level 6, to reduce wage disparities.
Fix MACP Anomalies – The NC JCM Staff Side wants the panel to address issues in the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme and ensure at least five promotions in a career, and implement MACP in a well-defined hierarchical structure.
Interim Relief – The ToR, according to the Staff Side, should provide immediate interim relief to central government employees and pensioners before finalising the 8th Pay Commission recommendations.
Merge DA/DR with Basic Pay and Pension – The Staff Side suggests merging Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief with salaries and pensions to provide financial relief against inflation.
Resolve 7th Pay Commission Issues – It wants the panel to address pending anomalies from the 7th Pay Commission raised in JCM meetings and anomaly committees.
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Better Pension and Retirement Benefits – The ToR should have recommendations on improving pension policies, restoring the commuted portion of pensions after 12 years, implementing periodic pension hikes every 5 years, and ensuring parity among past and future pensioners, the NC JCM Staff Side suggested.
Restore Old Pension Scheme (OPS) – It suggests reinstating the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) for employees recruited after January 1, 2004.
Improve CGHS & Medical Benefits – Another important suggestion from the Staff Side is to implement the Parliamentary Standing Committee’s recommendations for hassle-free medical facilities and cashless treatment under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
Increase Education Allowance – The ToR must mention extending the Children Education Allowance (CEA) and Hostel Subsidy up to the postgraduate level to support employees’ children, the NC JCM Staff Side recommends.
Restore Interest-Free Advances – It also suggests for ToR to include reinstatement and introduction of essential interest-free advances for government employees, which were previously abolished.
Risk and Hardship Allowance for Railway Staff – It suggests providing risk and hardship allowance for all categories of Indian Railways employees, considering their tough working conditions.
Special Allowance for Defence Civilian Employees – The Staff Side suggest including in final ToR the Grant Special Risk Allowance, Insurance Coverage, and Compensation to Defence civilian employees working in hazardous conditions with arms, ammunitions, chemicals, and explosives.