In a big update for the Central government employees and pensioners ahead of the presentation of Union Budget 2025, the union cabinet has approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission for government employees and pensioners.

The 8th Central Pay Commission, once set up and recommendations are accepted, will impact the salary brackets of approximately 49 lakh government employees and 68 lakh pensioners.

The pay commission is usually implemented after a gap of 10 years. Since the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission was accepted in 2016, the next will be in effect in 2026.

Since the government has now decided to set up the 8th pay commission, it will require over a year or 18 months for its recommendations to be submitted. And once 8th Pay Commission recommendations are accepted by the government, it is most likely that it will be implemented by 2026, as per media reports.