Central government employees await the 8th Pay Commission's fitment factor, but past commissions show gross salary hikes vary significantly despite differing factors, influenced by prevailing Dearness Allowance (DA) rates.
The Labour Bureau's May 2026 AICPI-IW reading of 150.8 suggests central government employees will likely receive a 3% dearness allowance (DA) hike, increasing DA to 63%. A 4% hike is improbable unless June's reading significantly rises, with the final outcome dependent on June inflation data and government decision.
Central government employees may receive substantial arrears under the 8th Pay Commission, ranging from ₹3.6 lakh to ₹10.8 lakh for Level 1-5 employees, depending on the implementation timeline and fitment factor (2.0 to 2.86).
Central government employees are hopeful for an early submission of the 8th Pay Commission report, potentially by January 2027, leading to salary hikes from April 2027. Despite an 18-month deadline ending May 2027, optimism stems from online processes and swift interactions, though some experts predict a later submission.
Trinamool Congress approached the Supreme Court challenging the Additional Chief Electoral Officer's mandate requiring at least one counting supervisor or assistant to be a central government or central PSU employee for West Bengal assembly election vote counting. The party argues the decision is arbitrary, discriminatory, and creates reasonable apprehension of bias since BJP, their political opponent, controls the central government. The petition claims the timing of the communication and its applicability only to Bengal (not other states with simultaneous elections) undermines free and fair election principles. The Supreme Court agreed to list the matter on Saturday, with a special bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi constituted.
Trinamool Congress has moved the Supreme Court, challenging a directive mandating central government employees as counting supervisors or assistants for Bengal's assembly election vote count. The party argues this is arbitrary, discriminatory, and creates bias, especially with the BJP at the Centre. They claim it unfairly alters the counting table composition, undermining a level playing field and free elections.
