PM Modi Approves 8th Central Pay Commission for Government Employees
In a significant move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the formation of the 8th Central Pay Commission, a decision that has brought joy to central government employees across the nation. This development will benefit over 45 lakh central government employees and 68 lakh pensioners.
The 8th Pay Commission comes ahead of schedule, as the tenure of the 7th Pay Commission was initially set from 2016 to 2026. The approval was granted well before the expected time frame, signaling the government’s commitment to the welfare of its employees.
Notable union leaders, including Dr. M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary of the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR), and Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary of the National Council (JCM), expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Modi after meeting Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Communications, and Electronics, to thank him for the decision.
A Brief Overview of Pay Commissions:
- 1st Pay Commission (1946-1947): Minimum salary ₹55/month, maximum ₹2,000/month, benefiting 1.5 million employees.
- 2nd Pay Commission (1957-1959): Minimum wage ₹80/month, recommended a “socialistic pattern of society.”
- 3rd Pay Commission (1970-1973): Minimum salary ₹185/month, aimed at salary parity.
- 4th Pay Commission (1983-1986): Introduced performance-linked pay with a minimum salary of ₹750/month.
- 5th Pay Commission (1994-1997): Recommended ₹2,550/month as the minimum pay.
- 6th Pay Commission (2006-2008): Minimum pay ₹7,000/month, introduced Pay Bands.
- 7th Pay Commission (2014-2016): Minimum pay raised to ₹18,000/month, maximum ₹2,50,000/month.
The 8th Pay Commission, which was officially announced on 16th January 2025, will further enhance the remuneration and working conditions of government employees, marking a new chapter in India’s pay structure reform.
