The new year 2026 has begun. As a result, the hopes of the country's approximately 11.9 million central government employees and pensioners regarding the Eighth Pay Commission have increased.

2026 is here, but when will salaries increase? Central employees have a big question about the Eighth Pay Commission.

8th Pay Commission: The new year 2026 has begun. With the country's approximately 11.9 million central government employees and pensioners, expectations regarding the Eighth Pay Commission have risen. Discussions about salary increases are on every central government employee's lips.

However, no official statement has yet been issued by the Central Government regarding the Eighth Pay Commission in 2026. Consequently, uncertainty remains about when the Eighth Pay Commission will be implemented. Looking at past trends, it usually takes some time for the new Pay Commission to be implemented after the commission's formation. It is expected that the recommendations of the new Pay Commission will be implemented in 2027...

When can the recommendations of the commission be implemented?

Looking back at the events of the past year, the government announced the formation of the Eighth Pay Commission on January 15, 2025. However, the process did not move forward for a considerable period. Nearly 10 months later, on October 28, the official gazette notification was issued, giving the commission 18 months to submit its report.

If we add 18 months from October 2025, the deadline is July 2027. Given the current situation, it is believed that central government employees and pensioners will receive the benefits of the increased salaries by mid-2027 or early 2028.

What is the reason for this delay?

The Pay Commission has been given 18 months to prepare its report. After the report is submitted, consideration of the recommendations and Cabinet approval take another six months. This means the process takes approximately two years to complete.  

For this reason, the actual benefits of the new salary can be expected to be received by the employees by the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028.