Akhil Bhartiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh
PRESS RELEASE
ABRSM Meets 8th Central Pay Commission, Seeks Justified and Comprehensive Reforms in Pay and Service Conditions
New Delhi, August 10, 2026: A delegation of the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM) today held a detailed meeting with Justice Ranjana Desai, Chairperson of the 8th Central Pay Commission, Shri Pankaj Jain, Member-Secretary, and other senior officials at the Commission’s office in New Delhi. The delegation discussed various points of a detailed memorandum prepared on the basis of suggestions received from teachers and employees across the country.
The delegation comprised Prof. Narayan Lal Gupta, National President,
and Prof. Geeta Bhatt, National General Secretary of the Mahasangh
The Mahasangh emphasized that the recommendations of the 8th Central Pay Commission should take into account inflation, the rising cost of living, real purchasing power, and financial security during both service and retirement. ABRSM demanded a fitment factor of 3.6 to 3.8, an increase in the annual increment from 5 to 6 percent, and the addition of further stages at higher pay levels to raise the maximum pay ceiling. It also called for the reintroduction of the One Step Up provision of the Sixth Pay Commission and stressed the principle of equal pay for equal work.
The Mahasangh demanded that when the Dearness Allowance reaches 50 percent, it should be automatically merged with basic pay. It also proposed that House Rent Allowance be fixed at a minimum of 40, 35 and 30 percent, as applicable. Transport Allowance should be revised in accordance with prevailing costs, while the full expenditure incurred on official tours should be reimbursed through Travel and Daily Allowance.
For professional development, the Mahasangh demanded financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh annually, along with initial research grants of up to ₹15 lakh in Science subjects and ₹10 lakh in Humanities and Social Sciences. It also proposed separate allowances and advance provisions for digital and academic resources.
It demanded that the limit of House Building Advance be increased to at least four times the existing limit, with provision for purchase of land, construction of houses, purchase of ready-built houses, and renovation within its scope.
With regard to leave provisions, the Mahasangh demanded 15 days of Casual Leave, an additional 15 days of Special Casual Leave, an increase in the accumulation limit of Earned Leave from 300 to 400 days, and an increase in the maximum leave that can be availed at one time from 60 to 90 days. It proposed a minimum of 20 days of Medical Leave with full pay, 8 months of Maternity Leave, 30 days of Paternity Leave, and 60 days of leave for parental care. It also demanded provision for 100 percent pay throughout the eligible period of Child Care Leave.
For health security, the ABRSM proposed cashless medical facilities up to ₹20–25 lakh, an increase in LTC encashment from 10 to 20 days per journey, a tax-free contribution limit of ₹25 lakh under Provident Fund, and enhancement of group insurance coverage to ₹50 lakh.
Regarding promotions, the Mahasangh demanded that employees be assured of at least four promotional opportunities during their entire service, that artificial barriers to promotion be removed, and that adequate posts be created and made available at every level.
Under retirement security, the Mahasangh demanded an assured pension of 60 to 67 percent of the last drawn pay and a family pension of approximately 50 percent. It proposed increasing the gratuity ceiling to ₹75 lakh, along with an automatic 25 percent increase in the gratuity ceiling for every 50 percent increase in Dearness Allowance. It also demanded that the restoration period for commuted pension be reduced from 15 years to 11–12 years, that up to 50 percent of pension be permitted for commutation, and that the full pension be restored upon completion of the prescribed period.
The Mahasangh demanded social security for contractual, ad hoc and temporary employees and called for greater emphasis on regular appointments. In view of increasing life expectancy and the need to make better use of the experience and expertise of senior employees, it also suggested that the possibility of raising the retirement age to 65 years be considered.
The Mahasangh urged the Commission to ensure that the 8th Central Pay Commission does not remain confined merely to revision of salaries, but undertakes a comprehensive review of pay, allowances, advances, promotions, service conditions, leave, social security, pension and retirement benefits. It also suggested a regular pay revision cycle of approximately five years, or an automatic revision mechanism linked to inflation, so that the real purchasing power of employees can be protected.
The Mahasangh expressed confidence that the Commission would give serious consideration to the suggestions presented in the memorandum and recommend a justified, transparent and modern framework that ensures dignified financial security for employees both during their service and after retirement.
