8th Pay Commission opens next round of employee consultations. Check key dates
In its latest circular dated May 6, 2026, the Commission said it will meet unions and associations linked to the Defence and Railway sectors in Delhi on May 13 and 14, 2026.
The 8th Pay Commission has opened the next phase of consultations with employee unions and sector-specific organisations, as discussions around salary hikes, pensions and fitment factor revisions gather momentum.
In its latest circular dated May 6, 2026, the Commission announced fresh meetings with representatives linked to the Defence and Railway sectors in Delhi later this month, signalling that detailed stakeholder consultations are now underway.
DELHI MEETINGS ON MAY 13 AND 14
According to the latest circular, the Commission will meet institutions, unions and associations connected to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Ministry of Railways (MoR) in Delhi on May 13 and 14, 2026.
The discussions will include organisations under both ministries along with registered unions based in the national capital.
Groups that want to present their views before the Commission must apply online by May 10, 2026. The Commission has clarified that only organisations submitting requests through its official portal will be considered for appointments.
The circular also said more such meetings are likely to be held in Delhi, with details to be announced later on the Commission’s website.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST ROUND OF MEETINGS?
The latest round of meetings comes after the Commission completed its first formal consultations with representatives of the National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) in Delhi between April 28 and April 30.
According to IndiaToday.in’s earlier exclusive reporting, employee representatives raised several major demands during the three-day discussions, including a higher fitment factor, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), merger of dearness allowance (DA) with basic pay, revisions in minimum wage calculations, and reducing the gap between two Pay Commissions from 10 years to 5 years.
You can click here to read the detailed report.
Employee unions argued that rising inflation and changing household expenses have significantly altered the cost of living for central government employees.
Staff bodies also pushed for revisions to the “family unit” formula used in salary calculations, saying older assumptions no longer reflect modern urban living costs, especially expenses linked to housing, healthcare, education and transportation.
The consultations marked the beginning of direct engagement between the Commission and employee representatives on broader issues related to pay structure, pensions, allowances and service conditions.
IndiaToday.in has also reported on where the 8th Pay Commission process stands six months after its announcement, including pending consultations, timeline expectations and implementation-related developments.
MEETINGS IN HYDERABAD, SRINAGAR ALSO SCHEDULED
After the Delhi meetings, the Commission is expected to expand consultations to other parts of the country.
As per the current schedule, meetings will be held in Hyderabad on May 18 and 19, Srinagar from June 1 to June 4, and Ladakh on June 8, 2026.
The Commission has also asked unions and associations to submit memorandums and meeting requests within the prescribed timelines through its official portal.
These consultations are expected to play a key role in shaping the Commission’s eventual recommendations on salaries, pensions and benefits for lakhs of central government employees.
The 8th Pay Commission has opened the next phase of consultations with employee unions and sector-specific organisations, as discussions around salary hikes, pensions and fitment factor revisions gather momentum.
In its latest circular dated May 6, 2026, the Commission announced fresh meetings with representatives linked to the Defence and Railway sectors in Delhi later this month, signalling that detailed stakeholder consultations are now underway.
DELHI MEETINGS ON MAY 13 AND 14
According to the latest circular, the Commission will meet institutions, unions and associations connected to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Ministry of Railways (MoR) in Delhi on May 13 and 14, 2026.
The discussions will include organisations under both ministries along with registered unions based in the national capital.
Groups that want to present their views before the Commission must apply online by May 10, 2026. The Commission has clarified that only organisations submitting requests through its official portal will be considered for appointments.
The circular also said more such meetings are likely to be held in Delhi, with details to be announced later on the Commission’s website.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST ROUND OF MEETINGS?
The latest round of meetings comes after the Commission completed its first formal consultations with representatives of the National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) in Delhi between April 28 and April 30.
According to IndiaToday.in’s earlier exclusive reporting, employee representatives raised several major demands during the three-day discussions, including a higher fitment factor, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), merger of dearness allowance (DA) with basic pay, revisions in minimum wage calculations, and reducing the gap between two Pay Commissions from 10 years to 5 years.
You can click here to read the detailed report.
Employee unions argued that rising inflation and changing household expenses have significantly altered the cost of living for central government employees.
Staff bodies also pushed for revisions to the “family unit” formula used in salary calculations, saying older assumptions no longer reflect modern urban living costs, especially expenses linked to housing, healthcare, education and transportation.
The consultations marked the beginning of direct engagement between the Commission and employee representatives on broader issues related to pay structure, pensions, allowances and service conditions.
IndiaToday.in has also reported on where the 8th Pay Commission process stands six months after its announcement, including pending consultations, timeline expectations and implementation-related developments.
MEETINGS IN HYDERABAD, SRINAGAR ALSO SCHEDULED
After the Delhi meetings, the Commission is expected to expand consultations to other parts of the country.
As per the current schedule, meetings will be held in Hyderabad on May 18 and 19, Srinagar from June 1 to June 4, and Ladakh on June 8, 2026.
The Commission has also asked unions and associations to submit memorandums and meeting requests within the prescribed timelines through its official portal.
These consultations are expected to play a key role in shaping the Commission’s eventual recommendations on salaries, pensions and benefits for lakhs of central government employees.
