Crucial meetings regarding the 8th Pay Commission are scheduled for October. Find out the details of what is happening on October 7, 8, 22, and 23, and get the latest updates on potential salary hikes.

Central government employees and pensioners are keeping a close watch on the 8th Pay Commission. Everyone is wondering: how much will salaries rise under the new pay commission, and when will the benefits kick in? While there is no definitive answer yet, the month of October is set to be pivotal for the 8th Pay Commission.

The 8th Pay Commission has scheduled visits to Bengaluru and Mumbai in October 2026. During these visits, discussions will be held with employee organizations, unions, pensioners, and other stakeholders. The Commission is currently gathering opinions from various parties.

What are the key dates for the 8th Pay Commission?

If you are a central government employee or a pensioner, you should take note of the following dates in October:

1. October 7 and 8 – The 8th Pay Commission will visit Bengaluru on October 7 and 8, 2026. Discussions will be held with employee organizations and other relevant stakeholders there. The deadline to apply for participation in the Bengaluru meeting was September 18, 2026—a date that has already passed.

2. October 10 – Applications to attend the meeting in Mumbai can be submitted until October 10, 2026. According to the notice issued by the Commission, those seeking an appointment for the meeting need to apply promptly.

3. October 22 and 23 – The 8th Pay Commission will visit Mumbai on October 22 and 23, 2026. During this period, consultations will be held with employee unions, representatives, pensioner organizations, and stakeholders. The Commission also intends to gather information regarding railway employees and the nature of their work in Mumbai.

Will salaries increase as early as October?

No, the meetings scheduled for October do not mark the date for a salary hike. The objective of these meetings is to solicit suggestions and gather information from employees, pensioners, and other relevant stakeholders. In addition to salaries, the Commission is considering changes to the pay matrix, Dearness Allowance (DA), Dearness Relief (DR), House Rent Allowance (HRA), other allowances, increments, and promotion policies.

When will the report be released?

The 8th Central Pay Commission was constituted on November 3, 2025. The Commission has been granted a period of 18 months from the date of its constitution to submit its recommendations. Based on the current timeline, the Commission's recommendations could be released in 2027, with the deadline for report submission set for May 2027.