Who Will Fix Govt Salaries? Inside the 8th Pay Commission Team

8th Pay Commission: Meet the 3 Key Members Shaping Salaries & Pensions for 1.2 Crore Central Government Staff

Millions of central government employees and pensioners are watching the developments around the 8th Central Pay Commission closely. With the government formally approving the Terms of Reference (ToR) and finalising the three-member panel, hopes are high for a fair revision in salaries and pensions in line with cost-of-living realities.

The Commission will submit its report within 18 months, and expectations are strong that this time recommendations will reflect current inflation trends and employee needs.

The Commission will give its report in about 18 months. Government employees and pensioners are hoping that this time the salary and pension hike will match the rising prices and the real cost of living.

Who are the three individuals in Charge of the Eighth Pay Commission?

Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai – Chairperson

She is a former Supreme Court judge. She leads the 8th Pay Commission. She will be able to make decisions that are fair and well-rounded because of her extensive legal and government expertise.

Highlights:

• Former Judge of Supreme Court of India

• First woman to head a Central Pay Commission

• Also led the Delimitation Commission of India & Press Council of India

• Education from Mumbai's Government Law College and Elphinstone College

• It is believed that her leadership will ensure fair, and staff-friendly recommendations.

Professor Pulak Ghosh, a member part-time

As a part-time member, Professor Pulak Ghosh from IIM Bangalore contributes the latest knowledge of data analysis and technology.

Specialisations:

• Artificial Intelligence & Data Science

• FinTech & household finance research

• Experience in policy-oriented analytics and development finance

• His data-driven approach is likely to bring modern, analytical thinking into pay structure decisions and future-ready government workforce planning.

Pankaj Jain – Member-Secretary

A 1990-batch IAS officer and current Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, he is the Commission’s Member-Secretary.

Strengths:

• Assam-Meghalaya cadre(IAS)

• MBA from FMS Delhi & qualified Cost Accountant

• Expertise in public finance, administration & budget planning

• He will steer coordination across ministries and ensure the financial feasibility of proposed pay and pension revisions.

Important Things to Look for in the Eighth Pay Commission

Workers and retirees expect that the Commission will battle inflation and guarantee that wages stay competitive. Pay matrices and a 2.57 fitment factor were among the measures introduced by the previous 7th CPC, but many thought that it was insufficient to address the rising cost of living.

Focus Areas:

• Higher fitment factor compared to last CPC

• Better alignment of allowances with inflation

• Stronger pension protection mechanisms

• Balance between employee welfare & fiscal discipline

• Data-driven recommendations & cost-efficiency models

• With India’s evolving economic landscape, the panel will evaluate both employee demands and government's fiscal responsibility.

Important Government Websites for Reference

You can check these official government websites for updates and information:

Ministry of Finance — for all finance and pay-related government updates

https://finmin.gov.in

Press Information Bureau (PIB)— for official government news and announcements

https://www.pib.gov.in

Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) — for rules and updates related to government employees

https://dopt.gov.in

National Portal of India— for all central government services and information

https://www.india.gov.in

Conclusion

The constitution of the Justice Ranjana Desai-led 8th Central Pay Commission marks a major milestone for India's 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners. With a blend of judicial expertise, academic excellence, and administrative strength, the panel holds the responsibility of shaping future compensation structures. As the team begins work, expectations are running high that this Commission will deliver reforms that not only recognize inflation and cost-of-living pressures but also support long-term financial stability for employees and pensioners.

Government staff across the country now wait with optimism, hoping the 8th Pay Commission will bring a fair and forward-looking salary and pension revision that meets modern economic realities.