Assam Becomes First State to Form 8th Pay Commission for Govt Employees

Assam has become the first state in India to constitute its own 8th State Pay Commission, just days after the 7th Pay Commission’s framework expired on December 31, 2025.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision on January 1, during an interaction with mediapersons in Guwahati. “The Centre has already moved forward with the 8th Central Pay Commission, but no state had taken this step until now,” Sarma said.

“Today, Assam has decided to constitute the 8th Assam Pay Commission under the chairmanship of former Additional Chief Secretary Subhas Das. This makes us the first state in the country to do so.”

The commission, headed by retired bureaucrat Subhas Das, will undertake a comprehensive review of the pay structure, allowances, pensions, and service conditions for Assam’s state government employees and pensioners.

The goal is to ensure equitable compensation that reflects current economic realities while enhancing employee benefits.This proactive initiative comes as the central government’s 8th Pay Commission – formally constituted in November 2025 – begins its work, with recommendations expected within 18 months.

While the central panel’s revisions are anticipated to take effect retrospectively from January 1, 2026, many states have yet to form parallel bodies. Assam’s swift action positions it ahead of the curve, potentially allowing its employees to benefit from revised scales sooner than their counterparts elsewhere.

Employee groups have welcomed the announcement. The Asom Sanmilita Shikshak Mancha (ASSM), a teachers’ organization, praised the move and urged the government to implement the commission’s recommendations effective from January 1, 2026, extending benefits on par with central government staff.

Himanta Sarma described the decision as “a significant step towards employee welfare and progressive governance,” highlighting Assam’s leadership in administrative reforms. The announcement aligns with broader expectations around the 8th Pay Commission cycle, which traditionally revises salaries every decade to account for inflation and living costs.

As other states watch closely, Assam’s pioneering effort sets a new benchmark in state-level policy innovation, reinforcing the government’s focus on its workforce amid evolving fiscal priorities.

The commission’s findings are expected to play a key role in shaping the future of public service compensation in the state.

Signpost NewsDesk

Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.