8th Central Pay Commission is collecting of Pension Data from Offices: Major Exercise Ahead of Recommendations on OPS, NPS & UPS

8th Central Pay Commission is collecting of Pension Data from Offices: Major Exercise Ahead of Recommendations on OPS, NPS & UPS

8th Central Pay Commission is collecting of Pension Data from Offices

The 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC) has started one of its most significant data collection exercises by calling for detailed information on employees covered under various pension schemes from all Ministries, Departments, Organisations and Offices of the Central Government.

The Commission has activated its 8CPC Online Data Portal and has made it clear that all prescribed information must be submitted online by 30 June 2026. The Commission has also categorically stated that physical files, printed Excel sheets, hard copies, emails or any other offline submissions will not be accepted or entertained.

This development assumes special significance as the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Central Pay Commission specifically require it to review pension-related matters covering employees under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), National Pension System (NPS) and the recently introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

Message Displayed on the 8th CPC Data Portal

The Commission has displayed the following important message on its online data portal:

8CPC Online Data Portal

The 8th Central Pay Commission has extensive data requirements. Links/formats seeking data are being shared with Ministries/Departments/Organizations/Offices separately.

Submission of data is requested on this portal for 8th Central Pay Commission through the prescribed link.

Last date for submission of data is 30th June 2026.

Physical data/stand-alone Excel sheets/hard copies/emails etc. shall not be considered/entertained by the Commission.

This clearly indicates that the Commission intends to build a comprehensive digital database before commencing detailed examination of service conditions and pension reforms.

View: 8th CPC Intensifies Data Collection Exercise from Ministries, Departments, Organizations and Offices

Pension Review Forms an Important Part of the 8th CPC Terms of Reference

The Government, while constituting the 8th Central Pay Commission vide Resolution No. F. No. 01-01/2025-E.III(A) dated 3rd November 2025, entrusted the Commission with important responsibilities relating to pension.

The relevant provisions are reproduced below.

Para 2(e)

(i)

The Commission has been asked:

To review the Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity of employees borne on the National Pension System (including Unified Pension Scheme) and make recommendations thereon.

(ii)

Further, it has also been directed:

To review the Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity and pensions of employees not borne on the National Pension System (including Unified Pension Scheme) and make recommendations thereon keeping in view Para 2(f)(iii).

Para 2(f)(iii)

While making recommendations, the Commission has specifically been asked to keep in view:

The unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes.

This clause is particularly important because it indicates that while reviewing pension benefits under the Old Pension Scheme, the Commission will also examine the long-term financial implications of non-contributory pension liabilities on the Government.

View: 8th Central Pay Commission – Resolution on Constitution and Terms of Reference: Gazette Notification

What Pension Data is Being Collected?

The data format circulated by the 8th Central Pay Commission seeks detailed information regarding employees covered under different pension systems across every Pay Matrix Level.

The prescribed format seeks the following information:

Why is the Data Required?

The information being collected will enable the Commission to analyse:

• Distribution of employees under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
• Migration of employees from OPS to NPS over time.
• Adoption of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
• Level-wise pension liabilities.
• Cadre-wise financial implications.
• Future pension expenditure under different pension models.

The comparison between employee strength as on 1 January 2018 and 1 January 2026 will also help the Commission understand how the pension landscape has evolved during the last eight years.

Significance of Including Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)

One notable feature of the prescribed format is the separate column for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

This confirms that the Commission intends to evaluate the impact of UPS independently rather than treating it merely as an extension of the National Pension System.

The collected data will help assess:

• Number of employees opting for UPS.
• Distribution across Pay Matrix Levels.
• Comparative financial implications vis-à-vis NPS and OPS.
• Future retirement benefit projections.

What Could the Commission Examine?

Based on its Terms of Reference, the Commission may examine several important issues relating to pension, including:

• Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity under NPS and UPS.
• Pension and retirement benefits for employees under OPS.
• Financial sustainability of non-contributory pension schemes.
• Comparative pension structures across different schemes.
• Government’s future pension liability.
• Possible improvements in retirement benefits.

However, the exact recommendations will emerge only after detailed analysis of the data received from Ministries and Departments.

Deadline: 30 June 2026

All Ministries, Departments, Attached Offices, Autonomous Organisations and other Central Government establishments have been instructed to upload the prescribed information through the 8CPC Online Data Portal on or before:

30 June 2026

The Commission has clearly stated that submissions through:

• Hard copies
• Physical files
• Stand-alone Excel sheets
• Emails
• Any other offline mode

will not be accepted.

The commencement of pension-related data collection marks another important milestone in the functioning of the 8th Central Pay Commission. By seeking detailed level-wise information on employees covered under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), National Pension System (NPS) and Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), the Commission is laying the foundation for evidence-based recommendations on retirement benefits.

The inclusion of separate data for OPS, NPS and UPS, along with the Commission’s mandate to review gratuity, pensions and the financial implications of non-contributory pension schemes, indicates that pension reforms will remain one of the most closely watched aspects of the 8th Central Pay Commission’s final report.

Employees, pensioners and service associations across the country will now closely watch how this extensive data collection exercise influences the Commission’s recommendations on retirement benefits for Central Government employees.

View also: 8th Central Pay Commission is collecting Personnel Data i.e. Strength, Vacancies, Retirement Metrics, Resignation trends etc.