8th Pay Commission: Will your salary increase in January? Know BIG update

8th Pay Commission: With the start of the new year 2026, lakhs of central government employees and pensioners are waiting impatiently for increase in their salaries with the much-anticipated Eighth Pay Commission expected to be implemented this year. 

The question on everyone's mind is whether the benefits of the 8th Pay Commission will begin this January. The term of the 7th Pay Commission ended on December 31, 2025, so the suspense regarding the much-anticipated salary hike continues.

Will there be an increase in salary this month?

If you are hoping that a large sum of money will be credited to your bank account in the first week of January, then hold on. According to experts, even though the 8th Pay Commission is considered effective from January 1, 2026, it will still take some time for salaries to increase. 

The reason is that a commission has been constituted under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. The commission has been given approximately 18 months to submit its complete report.

When will the announcement take place?

It is expected that the official announcement of the new salary slabs may be made by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.

What about the arrears?

Delay does not mean loss. The rules state that if there is a delay in the announcement, employees will receive arrears from January 1, 2026.  For example, if the commission's recommendations are implemented in 2027, you will receive all the back pay in a lump sum. However, remember that this arrear will be fully taxable.