8th Pay Commission: Key meetings to begin in Delhi from April 28, more rounds planned

In a notice dated April 24, 2026, the Commission said it has received a large number of requests from employee unions and associations for meetings scheduled between April 28 and April 30 in Delhi.

In Short

• 8th Pay Commission meetings start April 28 in Delhi
• Many requests received but not all can be scheduled now
• Rs 72,000 salary figure is unofficial and speculative

The 8th Pay Commission process is slowly picking up pace, with meetings set to begin in Delhi. At the same time, a widely discussed Rs 72,000 salary figure is creating confusion among central government employees.

MEETINGS TO BE HELD FROM APRIL 28 IN DELHI

In a notice dated April 24, 2026, the Commission said it has received a large number of requests from employee unions and associations for meetings scheduled between April 28 and April 30 in Delhi.

Due to time constraints, not all requests can be accommodated during these dates. However, the Commission has assured that more meetings will be held in Delhi as well as in different states and Union Territories in the coming months.

It also advised stakeholders outside Delhi-NCR to wait for future schedules when the Commission visits their respective states or nearby regions.

Earlier, as per a separate notice, a team of the Commission was scheduled to visit Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on April 24.

RS 72,000 FIGURE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL DEMAND

Amid these developments, a figure of Rs 72,000 as the expected minimum salary has been widely circulating online and in reports.

In fact, the Rs 72,000 figure appears to be based on estimates and projections rather than any official submission.

It is likely linked to different salary calculations under various fitment factor scenarios, which some analysts and reports have been discussing as possible outcomes.

Moreover, available records suggest that this is not an official demand submitted to the Commission.

WHAT IS THE ACTUAL DEMAND?

The formal proposal comes from the National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM), Staff Side, which represents central government employees.

According to its memorandum, the body has demanded a minimum basic pay of Rs 69,000 along with a fitment factor of 3.83.

This proposal has been reported by several mainstream publications as part of the ongoing consultation process.

WHAT SHOULD EMPLOYEES EXPECT NOW?

At this stage, the Pay Commission is in the consultation phase, where it gathers inputs from employee groups and stakeholders.

Final recommendations on salaries, allowances and fitment factors will only come later, after detailed discussions and review.

For now, employees may need to wait for official updates rather than rely on circulating figures.

- Ends