Recent rumours circulating on WhatsApp and social media have triggered concern among central government pensioners, claiming that Dearness Allowance (DA)
hikes and Pay Commission-linked retirement benefits will be withdrawn under the 8th Pay Commission. However, official clarifications have confirmed that these claims are entirely false. Since the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) were issued, speculation has grown around the future of salaries and pensions. Misleading messages suggested that the Finance Act, 2025 had abolished DA hikes, pension revisions and other post-retirement benefits for central government pensioners, and that retirees would be excluded from the 8th Pay Commission’s scope. These claims caused unnecessary anxiety among millions of pensioners. What did the viral message claim? The viral posts alleged that the government had scrapped key retirement benefits, including DA increases and Pay Commission-linked pension revisions, and that pensioners would not benefit from the 8th Pay Commission in the future. PIB Fact Check busts the claim The government’s official fact-checking agency, PIB Fact Check, has categorically rejected these claims. It clarified that no changes have been made to abolish DA, Dearness Relief (DR), or Pay Commission-related benefits for central government pensioners. PIB also urged pensioners and employees to rely only on official government communications and not on unverified social media forwards. Benefits that continue for pensioners As per existing rules and official clarification, central government pensioners will continue to receive:
- Pension revision based on the recommendations of future Pay Commissions, including the 8th CPC
- Dearness Relief (DR) hikes twice a year, in January and July, to offset inflation
What actually changed in the rules?
The confusion arose from a limited amendment to Rule 37 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. PIB clarified that this change applies only to employees who are dismissed from government service due to serious misconduct after absorption into a public sector undertaking (PSU).
This amendment was made in line with a Supreme Court judgment in the Suraj Pratap Singh vs CMD, BSNL case. It has no bearing on regular pensioners or employees who retire normally.
Government clarifies in Parliament
The Finance Ministry has also addressed the issue in Parliament. Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that pensions fall within the ambit of the 8th Pay Commission.
He clarified that the Eighth Pay Commission will make recommendations on salaries, allowances and pensions, leaving no doubt that pension revision remains part of its mandate.
What about DA–DR merger?
The government has confirmed that there is currently no proposal to merge DA and DR with basic pay. Any such decision is likely to be considered only after the 8th Pay Commission submits its report, expected around 2027.
Why did the rumours spread?
The ToR for the 8th Pay Commission, issued on November 3, 2025, did not explicitly mention pensions. References to terms such as “unfunded pension cost” also raised concerns among employee groups. This uncertainty was then exploited through misleading social media messages.
DA hikes, Dearness Relief and retirement benefits for central government pensioners remain fully protected. The viral WhatsApp claims are misleading, and both PIB Fact Check and the Finance Ministry have officially denied them. Pensioners need not worry—no benefits are being withdrawn under the 8th Pay Commission.
