Summary of this article
Teachers demand restoration of Old Pension Scheme.
Retirement age sought to increase to 65.
Higher benefits and healthcare reforms proposed.
The 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) is in the final stages of formulation. The pay commission set up by the government is to review and revise the pay structures of government employees, and invites associations, unions and other stakeholders to present their views, opinions and suggestions regarding the upcoming pay structure. Currently, the CPC has completed nearly one-third of the timeline set. The process is unfolding steadily, as the outcome of the 8th CPC is wide-ranging and sensitive, and it also depends on various internal and external matters of the committee.
Ahead of the CPC meetings, the central government school teachers have also put forth a series of demands before the commission. As per a report by Livemint, their demands seek changes to pension benefits, retirement age, leave provisions, promotions, and healthcare facilities.
What Are The Proposed Demands?
These demands were raised by the central government school teachers' body under the All India NPS Employees’ Federations during a meeting with the 8th Pay Commission in New Delhi in August on the 7th. The delegation included representatives affiliated with Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, and Delhi government schools. Among the key demands was the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for central government teachers. Teachers who are currently covered under the National Pension System (NPS) have also been offered coverage under the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). However, the teachers’ body has asked to return to the earlier pension framework.
The teachers’ body has also proposed to raise the retirement age of central government school teachers from 60 years to 65 years. As per the teachers' representatives, a similar retirement age is made available to teachers covered by the University Grants Commission.
What Are The Previous Updates?
The previous developments were that the 8th CPC had begun with a two-day stakeholder consultation in Kolkata on July 9th and July 10th, 2026. This marked the new phase of its nationwide outreach meetings after the Odisha meetings. The Commission has held discussions with central government employee unions, pensioner associations and government institutions to gather feedback on updates like fitment factor, basic pay, pension revisions, allowances and House Rent Allowance (HRA).
Employee Unions have placed a fresh set of demands for the 8th CPC. They are seeking significant changes to the benefit of career progression, pay structure and even retirement benefits for central government employees and pensioners. The proposals were presented by the representatives of the National Council (staff side) of the Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) to acknowledge stagnation in service and align compensation with rising living costs.
