8th CPC: Suggestions for TOR sought from central forces

The central government approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission on 16 January. The recommendations of this commission will be implemented from 1 January 2026. Employee union leaders said that in the past, it was rare for a Pay Commission to be formed and its report to be implemented within two years.

The Finance Ministry has now asked the Union Home Ministry for suggestions regarding the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Eighth Pay Commission. The Home Ministry has also asked all central forces—CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, and Assam Rifles—to submit their suggestions by 2 February. These forces must send a detailed report with explanations and documents in both soft and hard copies. The Director General of each force will send the reports to the Union Home Ministry, which will then forward them to the Finance Ministry.

Meanwhile, soldiers of these forces are demanding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Employee unions and organizations have been continuously raising this demand. Last year, this issue was discussed in Parliament and is currently pending in the Supreme Court. The Delhi High Court had earlier ruled that the Central Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) should be considered part of the "Armed Forces of the Union of India" and stated that the New Pension Scheme (NPS) should not apply to them. The court said that all personnel, whether newly recruited or already serving, should be covered under the Old Pension Scheme. However, the central government challenged this decision in the Supreme Court and got a stay order.

In the past, Pay Commission members used to travel abroad to study salary structures in different countries, which took a lot of time. But now, with digital technology, such information is available online. The economic and financial policies of other countries can also be studied digitally. Due to this, the Pay Commission’s work may take less time this time.

During Dr. Manmohan Singh's government, the Pay Commission process—from formation to implementation—used to take about 18 months. Before that, it usually took two years. This time, the government aims to complete the entire process, including the formation, recommendations, and implementation, within one year.

Many employee organizations, including the 'Alliance of All Ex Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association,' have been demanding the return of the Old Pension Scheme. However, even after years of discussion, 11 lakh personnel of the central paramilitary forces have not yet received any relief.