8th CPC 2025: Members, Terms, and Key Objectives -

The Government of India has officially constituted the 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC) to review and recommend changes in the pay structure, allowances, pensions and other service conditions of Central Government employees and defence personnel. This significant announcement was published in The Gazette of India on 3 November 2025.

Composition of the 8th Central Pay Commission

The Eighth CPC will be chaired by Smt. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, a retired Supreme Court Judge.

Other members include:

Prof. Pulak Ghosh as Part-Time Member
Shri Pankaj Jain as Member-Secretary

Main Objectives of the 8th CPC

The Commission’s key task is to examine and recommend a fair and rational pay structure for the following categories of employees:

Central Government employees (both industrial and non-industrial)
Members of the All India Services
Defence Forces personnel
Employees of Union Territories
Officers of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department
Members of regulatory bodies (excluding RBI)
Officers and employees of the Supreme Court and High Courts (under Union Territories)
Judicial officers of subordinate courts in Union Territories

Key Terms of Reference

The 8th CPC will focus on:

Reviewing existing pay, allowances and benefits to ensure they meet modern administrative and functional needs.
Designing an emolument structure that attracts talent to government service while promoting efficiency and accountability.
Examining bonus and incentive schemes to reward high performance and productivity.
Reviewing and rationalizing various allowances to simplify the system.
Reviewing gratuity and pension benefits under both the National Pension System (NPS) and the traditional pension schemes.

Economic and Fiscal Considerations

While making recommendations, the Commission will keep in mind:

The overall economic condition of the country.
The need for fiscal prudence and maintaining resources for development and welfare.
The financial impact on State Governments, which usually adopt the Pay Commission’s recommendations.
Comparison with pay structures in Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and the private sector.

Timeline and Headquarters

The 8th Central Pay Commission will submit its recommendations within 18 months from the date of its formation. Its headquarters will be located in New Delhi. The Commission may also issue interim reports on specific matters if necessary.

The formation of the 8th Central Pay Commission marks an important step toward revising the pay and service conditions of government employees in India. Its recommendations are expected to shape the future compensation structure across central services and defence forces.

Stay tuned for updates as the Commission begins its work over the coming months.