Source: 8cpc.gov.in, Labour Bureau & Union Reports.
This report provides the Official Data Sets supporting the trending news on the 8th Pay Commission and Bharat Bandh. It includes the full text of the 18-Question Survey, the DA Calculation Sheet for Jan 2026, and the Strike Participation Statistics.
Annexure I: The 8th CPC Questionnaire (18 Questions)
The 8th Central Pay Commission has released a structured questionnaire on the MyGov portal. The deadline for submission is March 16, 2026. Below are the key questions employees must answer:
| Category | Key Questions Asked |
|---|---|
| Pay Structure | β’ Should the minimum pay be calculated based on the Aykroyd Formula or a different methodology? β’ Should the Fitment Factor be uniform across all levels? |
| Comparison | β’ Should government salaries be benchmarked against Private Sector peers (Banking/IT)? β’ Impact of government pay on the informal/gig economy? |
| Increments | β’ Is the current 3% Annual Increment sufficient? How should frequency be determined? |
| Pension | β’ What principles should guide pension revision for past retirees? β’ Views on NPS vs OPS/UPS transition? |
| Allowances | β’ Should Dearness Allowance (DA) be merged automatically when it crosses 50%? |
Annexure II: DA Calculation Sheet (Jan 2026)
The Dearness Allowance hike to 60% is based on the 12-month average of the AICPI-IW index. The Labour Bureau released the final data for Dec 2025 on Jan 30, 2026.
| Month (2025) | AICPI Index | Monthly Trend |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | 146.5 | +1.5 points |
| August 2025 | 147.1 | +0.6 points |
| September 2025 | 147.3 | +0.2 points |
| October 2025 | 147.7 | +0.4 points |
| November 2025 | 148.2 | +0.5 points |
| December 2025 | 148.2 | No Change |
| 12-Month Avg | 145.54 | Result: 60.33% |
Effective Date: January 1, 2026.
Annexure III: Bharat Bandh Statistics (Feb 12, 2026)
The nationwide strike called by 10 Central Trade Unions (INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, etc.) has witnessed varied impact across India.
- Total Shutdown States: Kerala, Odisha, Assam (Transport & Markets closed).
- Partial Impact: Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu (Banking & Industrial sectors hit).
- Participating Sectors:
- Banking: PSU Banks (AIBEA/BEFI).
- Transport: State Roadways (KSRTC, etc.).
- Rural: MGNREGA & Anganwadi Workers.
- Operational Services: Emergency Services (Hospitals), Metro Rail, and Private Offices.
Annexure IV: Income Tax Deadlines (DDO Level)
For the Financial Year 2025-26, the tax regime selection is critical. DDOs are enforcing the following timeline:
- Form 12BB Deadline: February 15-20, 2026 (Varies by Dept).
- Default Regime: New Tax Regime (Section 115BAC). If no option is exercised, tax will be deducted without exemptions.
π² Download Official Data
