The National Council – Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman seeking key changes in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the 8th Pay Commission. Their main demand is to let around 26 lakh employees shift from the New Pension Scheme (NPS) back to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for better retirement security.

Unions also want pensioners to be clearly included in the Pay Commission’s scope. While the government has indicated they will be considered, employees are asking for a written mention in the TOR to avoid confusion among retirees.

A major request is the return of the “stakeholder expectation” clause, which was part of the 7th Pay Commission. Its absence this time has created concerns among employees about whether their needs will be fully addressed.

Along with pension issues, unions are asking for 20 percent interim relief for employees and pensioners due to the delay in forming the commission. They also want January 1, 2026, to be fixed as the implementation date for the revised pay structure.

If accepted, these changes could significantly impact salaries, pensions, and overall employee satisfaction. The decisions are widely awaited, as they could improve financial stability for both current staff and retired personnel.