8th Pay Commission: Meet the core team who will decide the new pay structure, 50 lakh government employees likely to get…

Professor Pulak Ghosh has been appointed as the part-time member of the Commission. He is a professor at IIM Bangalore.

New Delhi: The Modi government has approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. The Commission’s recommendations will impact around 50 lakh (5 million) central government employees, including those from the defence services, and benefit nearly 69 lakh (6.9 million) pensioners, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. It is important to note that the Commission has been given 18 months to submit its recommendations, and the changes are expected to take effect from January 1, 2026. The government has appointed several key members to determine how much the salaries should be increased.

Justice Ranjana Desai:

The Modi government has appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai as the Chairperson of the 8th Pay Commission. Professor Pulak Ghosh has been appointed as a part-time member, while senior IAS officer Pankaj Jain will serve as the Member-Secretary.

All You Need To Know About Desai:

• Justice Ranjana Desai hails from Mumbai and was born on October 30, 1949.
• She completed her B.A. from Elphinstone College and earned her LL.B. from Government Law College, Mumbai.
• In 1996, she was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court, and later served in the Supreme Court of India from September 13, 2011, to October 29, 2014.
• Justice Desai has also chaired the Delimitation Commission of India and the Press Council of India.
• With her vast experience in law and administration, she is expected to ensure that the Commission’s recommendations are well-balanced and effective.
• Employees are hopeful that under her leadership, there will be a significant increase in salaries and pensions.

Professor Pulak Ghosh:

Professor Pulak Ghosh has been appointed as the part-time member of the Commission. He is a professor at IIM Bangalore. His areas of specialization include technology, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI), along with their impact on finance, development policy, and social value creation.

IAS officer Pankaj Jain

• IAS officer Pankaj Jain is also part of the Commission.
• He has been appointed as the Member-Secretary. Pankaj Jain is a 1990-batch IAS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
• He is currently serving as the Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• He holds an MBA degree and is also a qualified cost accountant.
• With his administrative background, he has a strong understanding of the government system.
• As the Member-Secretary, he will ensure the smooth functioning of the Commission, prepare reports, and coordinate with various ministries.
• His expertise in cost accounting will help balance the expenditure related to salary hikes.