Assam becomes first to constitute 8th Pay Commission for state employees, CM appoints panel head

Assam has made a big move on the pay revision front by becoming the first state in India to constitute an 8th State Pay Commission, just as the 7th Pay Commission’s provisions are set to expire on January 1, 2026.

The development comes amid growing anticipation among government employees and pensioners for clarity on pay hikes.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision, saying the state government has appointed former chief secretary Subhas Das to head the new pay panel.

Assam will become the first state in the country to constitute the 8th State Pay Commission, marking a significant step towards employee welfare and progressive governance.#5YearsOfSewa pic.twitter.com/3LHeyDqZtZ

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 1, 2026

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Until now, no state had taken this step to match the Union Government’s 8th Pay Commission, even though central employees have been awaiting clarity on the implementation timeline for several months.

Why this matters to employees

The 8th Pay Commission—the next in line to revise salaries and pensions for government workers—formally comes into effect from January 1, the same day the 7th Pay Commission ends. This is expected to set the stage for a much‑anticipated salary revision for central government employees, although the final implementation could take longer.

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Economists have noted that even after a commission is constituted, the process of finalising and approving new pay structures can take time. Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist at Bank of Baroda, has said the implementation might happen in the FY2027‑28 or even FY2028‑29, given the typical timeline for pay commission work, reported Moneycontrol.

Assam’s move, however, signals proactive leadership. State employees and pensioners could see revisions sooner, depending on how quickly the pay commission completes its work and the government accepts its recommendations.

What comes next

Under normal practice, a pay commission is given around 18 months to submit its detailed recommendations, after which revisions must be approved and notified before implementation. Experts point out that even though January 1 has been fixed as the effective date, revised pay and pension structures may only be finalised late in 2026 or early 2027.

For Assam, taking the lead on the 8th State Pay Commission could mean state employees get a head start on pay hikes that central government workers have been eagerly waiting for.