Unions and pensioner groups submit demands to Eighth Pay Commission
The window for unions and pensioner groups to submit their demands to the Eighth Pay Commission just closed on June 15, 2026.
Their main asks? Higher minimum salaries, a more up-to-date formula for calculating pay hikes, merging Dearness Allowance (DA) with basic pay to keep up with inflation, and some big changes to pensions.
Now, it's up to the Commission to review everything and decide what makes the cut.
Unions demand higher pay, pension reform
Unions say current salaries don't keep pace with rising costs like healthcare, housing, and education.
They're pushing for a higher minimum basic pay and a revision of the existing three consumption units to five family units that better matches today's family sizes.
There's also a call to raise the fitment factor from 2.57 to 3.83 (or set different rates by pay level), plus merging DA, now at 60%, with basic pay so take-home money isn't eaten away by inflation.
Pension reforms are high on their list too, including bringing back the Old Pension Scheme for more security after retirement.
The ball is now in the Commission's court as everyone waits for recommendations.