AIDEF Demands Amendments to 8th Pay Commission Terms of Reference (ToR)
Pune: November 4, 2025 — The All India Defence Employees’ Federation (AIDEF) has urgently requested the Ministry of Finance to make amendments to the recently notified Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC).
In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Finance Minister, the Federation highlighted several key omissions and differences in the 8th CPC’s ToR compared to the 7th CPC, particularly concerning employees’ and pensioners’ rights and expectations. The 8th CPC was published via a Ministry of Finance notification dated November 3, 2025.
Key Demands and Concerns Raised by AIDEF
The Federation, led by General Secretary C. Srikumar, focused its demand on three major areas:
1. Inclusion of Stakeholders’ Expectations in Emoluments ToR
The 8th CPC ToR on emoluments states that the commission is to “work out an emolument structure conducive to attracting talent to Government service, promoting efficiency, accountability and responsibility in the work culture”.
- AIDEF noted that the “Stake Holders expectation (Employees expectation) is missing” from this clause in the 8th CPC ToR.
- The corresponding 7th CPC ToR was more comprehensive, specifically referencing the need to “foster excellence in the public governance system to respond to the complex challenges of modern administration… with due regard to expectations of stakeholders“.
- AIDEF has requested that the 8th CPC’s ToR be redrafted at par with the 7th CPC’s to include the stakeholders’ expectations.
2. Inclusion of Pension Revision for Existing Pensioners
A major point of contention is the non-inclusion of the over 69 lakh Central Government Pensioners and Family Pensioners in the purview of the 8th CPC.
- The Federation considers the revision of pension to be a right of the Pensioners, arguing that they cannot be discriminated against or outright ignored.
- The 7th CPC ToR had a specific clause to “examine the principles which should govern the structure of pension and other retirement benefits, including revision of pension in the case of employees who have retired prior to the date of effect of these recommendations“.
- AIDEF requested an amendment to the 8th CPC ToR to include the revision of pension for those who retired prior to the date of effect of the 8th CPC (i.e., 01.01.2026).
- The Federation also asked to consider the restoration of the commuted value of pension after 11 years and an enhanced pension by 5% once in 5 years, as recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
Also Read: Pensioners Seek Urgent Clarity on 8th Pay Commission’s Mandate: Bharat Pensioners Samaj
3. Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
AIDEF has urged the Hon’ble Finance Minister to include the demand for the restoration of the Non-Contributory Pension under the CCS Pension Rules 1972 (now 2021) for Central Government Employees recruited on or after 01.01.2004, replacing the New Pension Scheme (NPS). This demand, which represents the views of more than 26 lakh NPS Central Government Employees, is currently not included in the 8th CPC ToR.
Implementation Date and Timeline
The Federation highlighted that unlike the 7th CPC ToR, the 8th CPC ToR makes no specific reference to recommending the date of effect of its recommendations.
The Federation asserted that it is “automatic and justified” that the 8th CPC recommendations should be implemented with effect from January 1, 2026, and requested this date be included in the ToR.
AIDEF noted that wage and pension revisions for Central Government Employees have been established to take place once every 10 years.
Historical implementation dates of previous Pay Commissions were cited:
4th CPC: 01.01.1986
5th CPC: 01.01.1996
6th CPC: 01.01.2006
7th CPC: 01.01.2016
The Federation asserted that it is “automatic and justified” that the 8th CPC recommendations should be implemented with effect from January 1, 2026, and requested this date be included in the ToR.
