With expectations rising around the 8th Central Pay Commission, not only central government employees and pensioners but also state government employees are keenly watching developments. The biggest questions remain: When will the new pay commission be implemented? Will states match the central salary hike? How much arrears will be paid, and from which date?

While the Central Pay Commission follows a largely fixed cycle, state governments have flexibility in adopting its recommendations. Here is a detailed and simplified explanation of how the process works and what state employees can realistically expect.

When Is the 8th Central Pay Commission Likely to Be Implemented?

As per long-standing practice, a new pay commission is introduced every 10 years. Based on this pattern, the 8th Central Pay Commission is expected to take effect from 1 January 2026. The government has already indicated this timeline, but it is important to understand that this date refers to the effective date, not necessarily the date of actual salary payment.

In most cases, salary revisions are implemented several months later, once recommendations are finalized and officially notified. The revised salary is then paid along with arrears.

Are States Required to Follow the Central Pay Commission Immediately?

There is no constitutional or legal obligation for state governments to implement the Central Pay Commission at the same time as the Centre. Each state decides independently based on its financial position, budget constraints, and administrative priorities.

Some states adopt the central recommendations within 6 to 12 months, while others may take 1 to 3 years. In certain cases, states form their own state-level pay commissions, rather than directly following the central structure. Kerala, for instance, follows its own multi-stage state pay commission system instead of a central-style fitment formula.

What About Arrears If Implementation Is Delayed?

If a state implements the pay commission later than the effective date, employees are generally entitled to arrears. Arrears are calculated from the date the pay commission is considered effective.

For example, if the revised pay is effective from 1 January 2026 but actual payment begins in 2027, the difference for the intervening period is paid as arrears. However, this decision—including whether arrears are paid fully or in installments—rests entirely with the state government.

What Signals Are Emerging for Uttar Pradesh Employees?

In Uttar Pradesh, the 7th Pay Commission tenure ends on 31 December 2025, which aligns closely with the expected timeline of the 8th Central Pay Commission. This alignment has increased expectations that state employees may receive salary revision benefits effective from 1 January 2026, along with arrears. Still, the final decision will depend on official approval and notification by the state government.

Current Pay Commission Status Across Major States

Most large states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, are currently following the 7th Pay Commission with a fitment factor of 2.57. Punjab adopted a slightly higher fitment factor of 2.59, while Kerala follows its own state pay commission system without applying a central-style fitment factor.

What Is the Fitment Factor and Why Does It Matter?

The fitment factor is the multiplier used to revise basic pay under a new pay commission. Under the 7th Pay Commission, the factor was 2.57, meaning the old basic salary was multiplied by 2.57 to arrive at the new basic pay.

Although this resulted in a structural pay increase, the dearness allowance was reset to zero, which made the net hike appear modest initially. The fitment factor for the 8th Pay Commission has not yet been finalized, and it will play a crucial role in determining the actual salary increase.

How Much Salary Increase Can State Employees Expect?

There is no guarantee that states will adopt the same fitment factor as the Centre. Some states may choose a higher or lower multiplier depending on their financial capacity. This means the final salary hike for state employees may vary significantly from one state to another.

What Should Employees Do Now?

State government employees should rely only on official notifications and announcements. Pay commission benefits are implemented strictly through government orders, and speculation can often be misleading. Once a state takes a formal decision, clarity on revised pay, fitment factor, and arrears will automatically follow.