Three major representative groups have submitted detailed memorandums to the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) demanding comprehensive pension reforms for central government employees and pensioners. According to reports from Mint, the National Council — Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM), the Maharashtra Old Pension Organisation, and the All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) collectively represent around 50 lakh central government employees and around 65 lakh retired central government pensioners. These groups include defence and railway employees and retirees, and their recommendations are expected to play an important role in shaping the Commission's deliberations over the coming months.
The employee groups have expressed demands for comprehensive pension restructuring, improvements and parity in payments. As reported by Mint, the NC-JCM has demanded structural alignment with revised pay, while the Maharashtra Old Pension Organisation has sought OPS restoration, UPS reforms and DA linkage. The AIDEF has demanded pension parity with revised pay structure. All three bodies have also demanded a hike in minimum salary benchmark to somewhere between ₹65,000–69,000 and a fitment factor close to 3.8–3.833. The 49th JCM meeting has further emphasized the need for restoration of Old Pension Scheme for existing pensioners, restoration of commuted pension, and enhancement of pension benefits.
The groups have made significant demands regarding allowances and salary structures. According to Mint, the NC-JCM has demanded housing and utility-linked structured pay, while the Maharashtra Old Pension Organisation has sought higher house rent allowance (HRA) and 2.5x TA increase. The AIDEF has demanded risk allowance (₹10,000-15,000). Regarding annual increments, the NC-JCM has demanded 6% (from 3%) while the Maharashtra Old Pension Organisation has sought 5% (from 3%). The AIDEF has demanded improved progression-linked increments. The 49th JCM meeting has also highlighted concerns about Rule 10 of CCS (RP) Rules 2016, where employees need to complete six months after promotion to become eligible for next increment, with unions seeking eligibility based on 180 days instead of the stricter six-month interpretation.
The employee groups have made strong demands for inflation handling and pay structure reforms. As reported by Mint, the NC-JCM has demanded inflation-linked wage model, while the Maharashtra Old Pension Organisation has sought minimum 4% DA hike + DA merger at 50%. The AIDEF has demanded inflation-adjusted compensation. Regarding pay structure, the NC-JCM has demanded unified pay matrix up to Level 13, the Maharashtra Old Pension Organisation has sought rationalisation of pay levels, and the AIDEF has demanded cadre restructuring and skill-based pay. The 49th JCM meeting has also addressed healthcare reimbursement issues, with employee representatives demanding full reimbursement of medical treatment expenses, review of non-reimbursable medical items, revision in hearing aid reimbursement rates, and inclusion of dental implant reimbursements.
During the 49th JCM meeting, employee representatives raised significant concerns about delays in promotions across various departments. As reported by Mint, many departments are delaying Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs), forcing employees to wait for years even after becoming eligible. Defence establishments and other departments expressed particular concerns, especially since staff shortages are already causing stress to employees. The Cabinet Secretary has reportedly asked the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to issue strict directions for timely promotions. The meeting also highlighted gaps in policy implementation, with employee unions alleging that AIIMS institutions were not properly following DoPT policy for posting of spouses at the same station, leading to severe family hardship for women employees.
The 8th CPC is chaired by former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and includes Professor Pulak Ghosh as a Member of the Commission, besides Pankaj Jain as Member-Secretary. According to Mint, the panel is expected to submit its recommendations by mid-2027. The Commission has planned meetings with employee representatives in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Telangana in May and April, with separate meetings scheduled in other states and Union Territories in due course. The 49th JCM meeting has emphasized the need for ongoing consultations with employee unions when framing the 8th CPC report, with the Cabinet Secretary reportedly indicating that several pension-related issues may eventually be referred to the 8th Pay Commission. The meeting also addressed the OPS issue, with employee representatives requesting the government to amend the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Pay Commission to formally include pension revision for existing pensioners and restoration of commuted pension.
