8th CPC: 6 key demands by Railway employees’ body

Describing Indian Railways as the ‘second line of defence’, the All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF), in a presentation given to the 8th Pay Commission, has sought higher minimum wages, specific allowances and promotional prospects for railway employees.

In a letter sent to affiliated units, AIRF general secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra said that the organisation held a meeting with the 8th Pay Commission on October 30, 2026, in which it also recommended providing hazardous duty allowance, hardship allowance, dress allowance and hill allowance for various categories.

The letter dated October 30 also claimed that the railway employees’ body has also highlighted the problems of female loco pilots, train managers and track maintainers during the meeting with 8th CPC officials, including its chairperson Ranjana Prakash Desai.

In this write-up, we take you through the six key recommendations by the AIRF to the 8th Pay Commission.

1. Higher pay scale to keep pace with fast-paced modernisation of Railways

The letter says that the AIRF told the 8th Pay Commission that the Indian Railways is considered to be the ‘second line of defence’ after the Indian Army because during natural calamities, war-like situations and pandemics, it is the Railwaymen and the Indian Railways that serve the Nation on the forefront.

The AIRF argues that in the wake of fast-paced modernisation of Railways, the Railwaymen deserve higher pay scales as they are highly trained and have to maintain assets such as rolling stock, signaling and track, etc.

2. Risk & hardship allowance

The AIRF has also advocated for special allowances for railwaymen because of the hard working conditions they face in their everyday work.

Keeping in view the number of casualties and grievous injuries sustained during the course of employment by the Railwaymen, they should be considered for a special allowance, like risk and hardship allowance, hazardous duty allowance, hill allowance and dress allowance, the AIRF says in its recommendations.

3. Issues related to track maintainers

The AIRF says track maintainers should be treated at par with the technicians of other engineering disciplines of the Indian Railways given their work is very tough and hazardous.

4. Issues related to female loco pilots, train managers

The AIRF’s female representatives explained the problems faced by female loco pilots, assistant loco pilots, train managers and track maintainers.

5. Merging of certain pay scales

The AIRF has demanded the merger of certain intermediate pay scales into one, so as to facilitate better promotional prospects for them.

6. Allowances for different categories of Railway employees

Explaining the degree of hardship and risk involved in their performance of duties, the AIRF also recommended adequate risk and hardship allowance for certain employees. It has also requested the 8th Pay Commission to provide adequate dress allowance for all the Railway technicians.

The federation has also demanded risk and hardship allowance, hazardous duty allowance, hill allowance and dress allowance for various categories of employees, highlighting hazardous working conditions of track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers and technicians.