8th Pay Commission News: Ever since the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Terms of Reference came out, there have been some apprehensions among central government employees and pensioners regarding the salary and pension benefits for retirees going forward. This led to misleading messages going viral on social media regarding central government pensioners, DA hikes, retirement benefits, and the 8th Pay Commission. This caused unnecessary anxiety among millions of pensioners.
8th Pay Commission Pension: What is the viral claim?
One of the viral messages claimed that under the Finance Act 2025, the central government has abolished important retirement benefits for retired employees, such as DA hikes and Pay Commission revisions. The message also claimed that pensioners will not receive the benefits of the 8th Pay Commission in the future.
PIB Fact Check reveals the truth
The government’s official fact-checking unit, PIB Fact Check, has declared this claim completely false. PIB Fact Check has clearly said that the central government has not abolished any benefits related to pensioners’ DA, DR, or Pay Commission.
The government has appealed to the public to rely only on official sources for any information related to pensions and retirement benefits.
What benefits will pensioners continue to receive?
According to PIB Fact Check, central government pensioners will continue to receive the following benefits under the existing rules:
Pension Revision: Pension revision based on the recommendations of the Pay Commission in the future.
Dearness Relief (DR) Hikes: Increase in DR every January and July to compensate for inflation.
What rule was actually changed?
The root of the confusion lies in a limited amendment made to the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. PIB clarified that the amendment to Rule 37 applies only to those employees who are dismissed from government service due to serious misconduct after being absorbed into a PSU.
This amendment was made following an order of the Supreme Court of India (Suraj Pratap Singh vs. CMD BSNL case). It does not affect the benefits of ordinary pensioners or employees who have retired normally.
Government also clarifies the matter in Parliament
Meanwhile, the government has also clarified the situation in Parliament. In response to a question asked in the Rajya Sabha, the Finance Ministry stated that pensions are included within the purview of the 8th Pay Commission.
Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, clearly stated that the Eighth Pay Commission will provide recommendations on all aspects related to salaries, allowances, and pensions. This makes it clear that there is no intention to exclude pension revisions.
What is the situation regarding DA-DR merger?
However, the government has also clarified that there is currently no proposal under consideration to merge DA and DR with the basic pay. This decision will likely be taken only after the 8th Pay Commission’s report is released, which is expected around 2027.
Why did the confusion arise?
The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Pay Commission were issued on November 3, 2025. The absence of a separate mention of pensions and the use of terms like “unfunded pension cost” led several employee organisations to fear that pensions might be affected. Taking advantage of this uncertainty, misleading claims were spread on social media.
Summing up…
In simple terms, the DA hikes, DR, and retirement benefits related to the 8th Pay Commission for central government pensioners are completely secure. The viral WhatsApp message is misleading, and both PIB Fact Check and the government have refuted it. Pensioners need not worry about any rumours.
