While central government employees and several other states are preparing for the transition to the 8th Pay Commission, West Bengal remains anchored to the 6th Pay Commission (ROPA 2019). This disparity
has created a significant wage gap between West Bengal state staff and their counterparts elsewhere. The lag is not merely a matter of administrative timing but is the result of a complex interplay between state fiscal health, a prolonged legal battle over inflation-linked allowances, and the state’s independent approach to pay revision cycles.
Why is West Bengal still on the 6th Pay Commission?
The primary reason for the delay is that West Bengal does not follow the central government’s ten-year pay revision cycle. While the Centre implemented the 7th Pay Commission in 2016, West Bengal only introduced its 6th Pay Commission (ROPA 2019) in January 2020. Because the state’s pay structures are revised roughly every ten years based on its own internal timelines, the current 6th Pay Commission is technically still within its projected “life cycle” for the state.
However, the “6th” tag is misleading to those outside the state. In terms of actual basic pay levels, the West Bengal 6th Pay Commission was designed to be roughly equivalent to the Central 7th Pay Commission. The real grievance for employees is not just the “number” of the commission, but the massive gap in Dearness Allowance (DA), which is the component meant to offset inflation.
What is the status of the 8th Pay Commission in India?
Nationally, the conversation has moved far ahead. The union government formally constituted the 8th Central Pay Commission in late 2025. This new commission is projected to bring a “fitment factor” hike that could increase basic salaries by 30 to 50 per cent for central employees.
As of April 2026, the 8th Pay Commission is in its high-gear consultation phase, with teams visiting various states to gather stakeholder feedback. While the central rollout may take until mid-2027 to reflect in bank accounts, the effective date remains January 2026. This creates a psychological and financial “double whammy” for West Bengal employees, who see the rest of India moving towards a third major revision since 2006 while they remain on their version of the second.
Why is the Dearness Allowance (DA) such a flashpoint?
The most contentious issue in West Bengal is the discrepancy in DA. Even under the 6th Pay Commission, state employees have historically received a much lower percentage of inflation-linked allowance compared to central employees. As of April 2026, the gap stands at over 30 per cent.
In a landmark development just last month, the Supreme Court of India directed the West Bengal government to begin clearing a decade’s worth of DA arrears. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee subsequently announced that the state would start paying these arrears from March 2026 in multiple phases. While this provides some relief, it addresses past dues rather than bringing current salaries in line with the national 8th Pay Commission standards.
