North India Statesman
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The Central Government has approved the 8th Pay Commission. Following that, the Commission has now approved the Chairman, Members and the Terms of Reference (ToR). The work of the commission has started. After this, All India Defense Employees Federation (AIDEF) has raised objection. Meanwhile, AIDEF has said that 69 lakh central government pensioners and family pensioners have been kept out of the purview of the 8th Pay Commission.
According to a report in Financial Express, AIDEF wrote to the Finance Ministry, “It is extremely unfortunate that pensioners who have served the country for more than 30 years have not been included within the ambit of the 8th Pay Commission. Pension reforms are their right and they should not be discriminated against.”
Why are pensioners not mentioned in the TOR?
There is no clear mention of the words ‘pensioner’ or ‘family pensioner’ in the TOR issued by the government on November 3, 2025. It said that the commission will review the salaries, allowances and benefits given to the employees. These benefits include pension benefits like pension and gratuity. This means that pensioners are not technically excluded from the TOR, but the lack of a clear definition has led to confusion.
Which employees are involved?
As per ToR, 8th Pay Commission will review these categories
Central Government Industrial and Non-Industrial Employees
All India Service
Defence Force
employees of union territories
Indian Audit and Accounts Department
Regulatory bodies created by Act of Parliament (except RBI)
Supreme Court staff
Employees of High Courts of Union Territories
Judicial officers of subordinate courts of Union Territories
What does the ToR say about pension and retirement benefits?
The Eighth Central Pay Commission has also been tasked with reviewing the entire pension and gratuity structure. It includes two types of retirement benefits for employees: death-cum-retirement gratuity for employees covered under NPS and Integrated Pension Scheme, and gratuity and pension for employees outside NPS.
However, when making recommendations for the latter category, the government will also have to consider the financial cost of non-contributory pension schemes. This makes it clear that, although the word “pensioner” is not mentioned in the notification, yet both pension and gratuity fall under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
When will the 8th Central Labor Commission submit its report?
The government has given 18 months time to the Eighth Pay Commission to submit its final recommendations. That means the complete report will be submitted to the government within one and a half years. Based on this, decisions on future salary, pension and other benefits will be taken.
