The first day of the 8th Pay Commission consultations in Delhi began with strong expectations, but accessing information proved challenging. Attempts to contact the office failed, and even the official website was not working. The meetings were held at Chanderlok Building on Janpath, but strict confidentiality made it difficult to understand what was happening inside.
8th Pay Commission Venue: Inside Chanderlok Building
The Chanderlok Building looked like a typical government office—old, functional, and in need of renovation. Scaffolding around the structure suggested repair work may soon begin. Inside, meetings were underway behind closed doors. A peon carrying trays of cold coffee moved freely across floors, showing how familiarity with the system often works better than formal permissions.
8th Pay Commission Access Issues: Media Kept Outside
Attempts to enter the meeting areas on both the 3rd and 7th floors were unsuccessful. Security officials clearly stated that proceedings were confidential and no information could be shared. Media personnel were asked to wait outside, leaving reporters without direct updates despite repeated efforts.
8th Pay Commission Breakthrough: Union Leader Shares Details
After hours of waiting, a key update came through a phone call from Shiva Gopal Mishra, a senior trade union leader representing around 36 lakh central government employees. He invited the reporter to the AIRF headquarters, where details from inside the meeting were finally shared.
8th Pay Commission Core Demands: Fitment Factor, Minimum Pay and Pension
According to Mishra, the meeting focused on key demands already submitted in a memorandum. These included a fitment factor of around 3.83, a proposed minimum basic pay of ₹69,000, and restoration of the old pension system. “These two issues — minimum wage of Rs 69,000 and fitment factor — are correlated and must be considered together,” he said.
8th Pay Commission Reform Demand: Ending Gender-Based Calculations
One of the major demands was to change how salaries are calculated. Mishra highlighted that earlier systems treated men and women differently. “Earlier calculations were based on units where a man was 1 and a woman was 0.8. This is gender discrimination. This is not acceptable,” he said. He also suggested counting children as full units and including parents in the family unit.
8th Pay Commission Cost of Living Update: Modern Needs Included
The union argued that outdated benchmarks no longer reflect current living standards. Mishra pointed out that older dietary calculations were based on lower calorie intake, while newer standards recommend higher consumption. “The expectations of people today have changed if that facility is not provided, people will have to wait another ten years,” he said. Modern needs like mobile usage, data, and better clothing were also highlighted.
8th Pay Commission Salary Demands: Higher Increments and Allowances
The staff side demanded an increase in annual increments from 3% to 6%, along with a threefold rise in allowances such as HRA and transport. Promotion-linked benefits should also be restored. “We have calculated scientifically that allowances should be at least three times,” Mishra said.
8th Pay Commission Work Conditions: Risk Allowances in Focus
Concerns were raised about difficult working conditions, especially in sectors like railways. “Hundreds of people die every year in railways there are risks and hardship conditions. These must be addressed through proper allowances,” he said. There was also a demand for officiating allowance when employees take on extra duties.
8th Pay Commission Timeline Demand: 5-Year Revision Proposal
Employee representatives requested more time to submit memorandums. “We have said that many people have not been able to submit their memorandum yet the timeline should be extended,” he said. They also proposed reducing the Pay Commission cycle from 10 years to 5 years. “Pay Commission comes after 10 years. But in banking and other sectors, wage revision happens in 5 years. Ten years is too long,” Mishra said.
8th Pay Commission Response: Positive Signals but No Commitments
The Commission did not make any firm commitments on the first day. “They said your memorandum has come, we have seen it you have explained it today. We will try our best,” Mishra said. He described the overall tone as encouraging, adding, “You cannot expect much from the first meeting, but the attitude was very positive.”
8th Pay Commission Timeline: 18 Months for Final Report
The Commission has been given 18 months to submit its report, though faster progress is expected with digital tools. “The timeline of the Government of India is 18 months but with digitalisation, it can be faster,” Mishra said. Employees are expecting implementation from January 2026.
8th Pay Commission Conclusion: Focus on Demands, Not Decisions
The first day of the 8th Pay Commission consultations was about setting the direction rather than making decisions. Employee representatives presented detailed demands on pay, pensions, and structural reforms, while limited access outside the meeting rooms highlighted how tightly controlled information remains in the system.
