8th Pay Commission: The debate around the 8th Pay Commission has intensified after employees’ unions demanded that the government modify the newly notified Terms of Reference (ToR).
With pension revision kept out of the 8th CPC’s scope and key issues left unaddressed, employees have now called for nationwide protests seeking merging DA with Basic Pay. Their biggest push is for merging Dearness Allowance (DA) with basic pay, along with other long-pending demands that they say cannot wait any longer.
The Centre notified the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Pay Commission on November 3, something over 1 crore central government employees and pensioners had been waiting for eagerly. But the announcement left many disappointed, as the ToR did not meet key expectations.
A new storm is brewing between the central government and crores of its employees and pensioners. The Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers has issued a strong circular dated November 24, 2025, announcing a series of nationwide protests after the government released the ToR for the 8th Pay Commission.
At the heart of the anger lies one issue: the ToR completely excludes pension revision for existing pensioners and family pensioners. For the Confederation, this is not just an oversight — it’s a clear red line.
Why employees and pensioners are upset
According to the circular, the Confederation believes the newly introduced clause — “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes” — could have serious long-term implications for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This wording, they say, may push the system away from guaranteed pensions and toward cost-cutting measures.
But the larger concern is that pensioners have been left out altogether, despite earlier assurances that the Pay Commission would address pensions comprehensively.
Will the government now revisit and revise the ToR? That is the big question employees are placing before the Centre.
A long build-up of frustration
The circular highlights that employees have been agitating since December 2022 on a set of seven major demands. A one-day strike was observed on July 9, 2025. Yet, according to the Confederation, no meaningful steps have been taken by the government to resolve their grievances.
Instead, the circular alleges “repressive measures”:
-Non-recognition or de-recognition of unions
-Suspension or dismissal of union leaders for union activity
-Delay in implementing arbitration awards agreed under JCM mechanisms
-These issues have added to the discontent, making the 8th CPC ToR the tipping point.
Phase-wise protest plan announced
The Confederation has announced a nationwide agitation programme:
By December 15: An intensive awareness campaign across the country
December 16: Lunch-hour demonstrations in all government offices
By December 31: State conventions in support of demands
Further actions: To be announced after the first review
The unions will also join protests on November 26 against the notification of the four labour codes, which they say will “make the functioning of trade unions very difficult”.
What employees want: The charter of demands
The Confederation’s key demands include:
-Modify the 8th CPC ToR to include pension revision and staff-side recommendations.
-Merge 50% DA/DR with basic pay/pension and give 20% interim relief from Jan 1, 2026.
-Scrap NPS/UPS and restore OPS for all.
-Stop creating distinctions among pensioners.
-Release the 18 months of pending DA/DR from the pandemic period.
-Remove the 5% cap on compassionate appointments.
-Fill vacancies, stop outsourcing and corporatisation.
-Restore recognition to unions and stop “victimisation” of union functionaries.
-Implement long-pending arbitration awards.
-Regularise contractual and contingent workers.
The big question ahead
With protests now announced and the employee community mobilising again, a major question looms over the Centre:
Will the government modify the Terms of Reference of the 8th Pay Commission to include pensioners and address the unions’ concerns?
For now, the Confederation has made its stand clear — the agitation will intensify unless the ToR is revisited. The coming weeks will determine whether this becomes another major government-employee standoff or ends in negotiation.