69 Lakh Pensioners May Miss Out on 8th Pay Commission Benefits: Employee Union Raises Strong Objection — Here's Why

The Central Government recently issued the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC), headed by Justice Ranjan Desai. However, the document has sparked controversy among employees and pensioners alike. Allegations have emerged that nearly 69 lakh Central pensioners and family pensioners have been excluded from the scope of the new commission — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from employee unions.

⚖️ What Changed in the 8th CPC ToR?

After reviewing the official ToR, employee unions and pensioners noticed several key differences from the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC). These omissions have led to widespread suspicion about the government’s intentions.
The All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) has raised multiple concerns over the drafting flaws in the ToR and called it incomplete and discriminatory.

🚨 Main Allegations by Employee Federations

According to a report by Financial Express, the AIDEF sent a formal letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighting that the new ToR fails to include several important expectations of employees.
The biggest objection is that around 69 lakh pensioners and their families have been excluded from the scope of the 8th CPC. The union termed this exclusion “extremely unfortunate and unfair”, calling it a clear case of discrimination against pensioners.

📋 What Was in the 7th CPC ToR — Now Missing

The AIDEF compared the 8th CPC document with the 7th CPC’s ToR and pointed out that pension revision clauses and post-retirement benefit reviews have been completely left out this time.
The union has demanded that the government amend the ToR to reinstate these provisions. Key recommendations include:

• Restoration of commuted pension after 11 years

• 5% increase in pension every five years

• Periodic revision of pension in line with inflation and pay scales

💼 Difference in Salary Structure Guidelines

The 8th CPC’s ToR focuses on creating a pay structure that encourages efficiency and accountability in public service.
However, unlike the 7th CPC, it does not include provisions for training, skill enhancement, or expansion of roles, which were considered important for holistic service development.

🗣️ Employee Union’s Key Demands

The AIDEF and other federations have urged the government to:

• Include the 7th CPC-related ToR clauses within the 8th CPC framework

• Ensure pension revision for those who retire before January 1, 2026 (the effective date of the 8th CPC)

• Protect the rights of pensioners by making their inclusion explicit in the commission’s mandate

📊 The Road Ahead

As debates intensify, all eyes are now on the Finance Ministry. Employee federations warn that if pensioners continue to be left out, protests and legal action may follow.
The coming months will determine whether the government revises its stance — or whether 69 lakh pensioners will indeed be left without the benefits of India’s upcoming pay revision cycle.