Central employees are eagerly waiting for the recommendations of the Eighth Pay Commission. It is estimated that the recommendations of the Pay Commission will be submitted to the government by May 2027. Keeping this deadline in mind, the Pay Commission has started a round of meetings.
Recently a meeting was held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Now a round of meetings is going to be held in Delhi. In these meetings, central employees or their associated organizations are making various demands. One such demand is for 18 months DA arrears.
What are the details?
In March 2020, when economic activities in the country came to a complete halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Government had stopped the Dearness Allowance (DA/DR) of central employees and pensioners for 18 months. This 18-month period was from January 2020 to July 2021. The government had then said that at that time there was a lot of pressure on the country’s economy and huge expenditure was needed in many important areas.
The government also made it clear several times in Parliament that DA was stopped so that the money could be used to fight COVID-19, health services and other important things. The Finance Ministry also reiterated again and again in its replies that the arrears for that period cannot be given to the employees. However, central employees and their associated organizations have not given up hope. The employees or their organization repeatedly raised the issue and tried to convince the Finance Ministry. The employees argue that this is their right and the arrears should be given when the situation becomes normal.
Meeting from 28 to 30 April
Let us tell you that the 8th Central Pay Commission has issued an important notice on Friday. The Commission informed that a large number of requests have been received to participate and interact with the Commission in the meetings to be held in Delhi from 28 April to 30 April 2026. Therefore, due to limited time and busy schedule, it will not be possible to accept all requests during these dates.
last year formation
Last year, the government had constituted the Eighth Pay Commission for central employees. The Pay Commission was announced in January 2025 and the Chairperson and other members were appointed for it in November. The Pay Commission has been asked to submit recommendations within 18 months. It is up to the government whether it accepts the recommendations of the Pay Commission in letter and spirit or not.