In an Office Memorandum, the DoPT said it was forwarding representations received from the All India RMS, MMS & Postal Pensioners Association and the All India Defence Employees’ Federation to the Department of Expenditure “for action as deemed appropriate”.
The representations seek changes to the ToR of the 8th CPC to specifically include pension revision for past pensioners who retired before January 1, 2026, along with other pensioners’ issues.
Which pensioner bodies have made the representations?
The DoPT forwarded two representations.
The first was submitted by Giri Raj Singh, General Secretary, All India RMS, MMS & Postal Pensioners Association, through a representation dated July 30, 2026.
The second was submitted by C Srikumar, General Secretary, All India Defence Employees’ Federation, through a representation dated August 4, 2026.
The DoPT addressed the memorandum to the Department of Expenditure, with a request for action as deemed appropriate.
Does this mean pension revision has been approved?
No.
The August 18 DoPT memorandum does not approve any pension revision or amend the 8th CPC’s Terms of Reference.
It only forwards the representations to the Department of Expenditure for further action as deemed appropriate. The memorandum also does not announce any fitment factor, revised pension formula or additional pension benefit for pre-2026 retirees.
Any change to the 8th CPC ToR would require a separate government decision.
What are pensioners seeking?
The subject of the representations is a request to amend the 8th CPC ToR to include pension revision for past pensioners who retired before January 1, 2026.
The issue is therefore about ensuring that the pension of existing or past retirees is covered while the 8th CPC examines pay, pensions and related matters.
Earlier precedent for changing Pay Commission terms
The DoPT memorandum also comes against the backdrop of an earlier change to the ToR of a Central Pay Commission.
A November 8, 1985 Finance Ministry resolution amended the Terms of Reference of the Fourth Central Pay Commission to specifically ask it to examine the existing pension structure with a view to having a proper pension structure for both past and future pensioners.
The resolution said the examination should cover the existing pension structure, including death-cum-retirement benefits, while taking into account factors such as retirement benefits available to employees of public sector undertakings and state governments, economic conditions and the resources and other demands on the Central Government.
The 1985 resolution is cited as historical context in the material accompanying the latest representation. It does not itself alter the ToR of the 8th CPC.
What happens next?
The latest development moves the pensioners’ demand from the DoPT to the Department of Expenditure for consideration.
The memorandum does not specify whether the Department of Expenditure will recommend or approve an amendment. Therefore, any change in the 8th CPC ToR, and any subsequent pension revision for pre-January 1, 2026 retirees, would depend on further government action.
