Staff Side JCM Urges Prime Minister to Amend 8th Central Pay Commission’s Terms of Reference

The National Council (Staff Side), Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) has submitted a detailed representation to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, requesting critical amendments to the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The memorandum, signed by Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary (Staff Side), seeks the inclusion of key employee and pensioner concerns that were reportedly overlooked in the notified ToR.

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Key Amendments Sought by the Staff Side

1. Inclusion of Employees’ Expectations in the ToR

The JCM has pointed out that Clause 2.5 of the 8th CPC ToR mentions only “efficiency, accountability, and responsibility,” omitting the phrase “expectations of stakeholders” that was part of the 7th CPC.
The letter argues that this omission sends a discouraging message to lakhs of Central Government employees and urges reinstatement of the full phrase from the 7th CPC, ensuring that employees’ expectations are duly recognized in the Commission’s mandate.

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2. Pension Revision for Existing Pensioners and Family Pensioners

The JCM expressed concern that over 69 lakh Central Government pensioners and family pensioners have been excluded from the purview of the 8th CPC.
Recalling that the 7th CPC’s ToR had explicitly included the examination of pension structures for pre-implementation retirees, the letter demands that a similar clause be reinstated to ensure fair revision of pensions for those who retired before 2026.
The Council also highlighted Supreme Court judgments affirming that pension is a deferred wage and a constitutional right, not a discretionary grant.

Additionally, the JCM requested inclusion of the following pension-related measures:

• Restoration of commuted value of pension after 11 years (instead of 15 years)
• Enhanced pension by 5% every 5 years after retirement, as recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee
• Extension of pension revision to all pensioners under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021)

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3. Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS)

The Council has reiterated the demand for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), emphasizing that over 26 lakh employees under the National Pension System (NPS) are anxiously seeking assured post-retirement benefits.
The JCM has urged that the OPS issue be brought within the 8th CPC’s ToR for a comprehensive and balanced review, ensuring retirement security and social dignity for Government employees.

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4. Objection to the Phrase “Unfunded Cost of Non-Contributory Pension Schemes”

The representation objected to the phrase “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes” used in the 8th CPC ToR, calling it inaccurate and unjust.
It argued that pension should not be treated as a fiscal burden but as earned compensation for past service, reaffirmed by multiple Supreme Court judgments including D.S. Nakara vs Union of India (1983) and Vijay Kumar vs Central Bank of India (2025).
The Council proposed replacing the phrase with:

“The likely impact on the finances of the Government of India, the State Governments, and the pensionary liabilities/benefits and the revision of pension relating to existing pensioners and family pensioners…”

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5. Date of Effect of the 8th CPC

The JCM pointed out that the ToR of the 8th CPC does not specify the date of effect of its recommendations, unlike the 7th CPC, leading to uncertainty among employees.
Citing the historical pattern —

• 4th CPC: 01.01.1986
• 5th CPC: 01.01.1996
• 6th CPC: 01.01.2006
• 7th CPC: 01.01.2016

— the Council urged that the 8th CPC recommendations take effect from 01.01.2026, maintaining the ten-year cycle.

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6. Demand for Interim Relief

In view of the rising cost of living and erosion of real wages, the JCM has requested the Government to sanction an Interim Relief of at least 20% of existing basic pay and basic pension for all Central Government employees and pensioners pending the 8th CPC’s final recommendations.
This, the Council stated, would demonstrate the Government’s empathy towards its employees and pensioners — the backbone of national administration.

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Appeal to the Prime Minister

Concluding the memorandum, Mr. Shiva Gopal Mishra acknowledged the Prime Minister’s leadership in fostering “Viksit Bharat” and urged him to uphold the spirit of justice, compassion, and welfare by directing amendments to the Gazette Notification dated 3rd November 2025, ensuring inclusion of all these vital aspects in the 8th CPC’s ToR.

View Staff Side JCM Letter: