UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The 8th CPC — a chance to reform pay commissions

Q1. With reference to the 8th Central Pay Commission (2025) compared to the 7th Central Pay Commission (2014), consider the following statements: 1. While the 7th CPC was chaired by Justice A.K. Mathur, the 8th CPC is chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, who is the first woman to head a Central Pay Commission in India. 2. Unlike the 7th CPC, the 8th CPC has been constituted under a dedicated statute that mandates a decennial revision of central government pay. 3. Like the 7th CPC, the 8th CPC has been given an 18-month window from its date of constitution to submit its recommendations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. While the 7th CPC was chaired by Justice A.K. Mathur, the 8th CPC is chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, who is the first woman to head a Central Pay Commission in India.
  2. Unlike the 7th CPC, the 8th CPC has been constituted under a dedicated statute that mandates a decennial revision of central government pay.
  3. Like the 7th CPC, the 8th CPC has been given an 18-month window from its date of constitution to submit its recommendations.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. The recommendations of a Central Pay Commission affecting the pay and service conditions of Union government employees are implemented through Presidential Orders issued under which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India?

  • A. Article 308
  • B. Article 309
  • C. Article 310
  • D. Article 311

Q3. With reference to the Terms of Reference of the 8th Central Pay Commission approved by the Union Cabinet in 2025, which of the following are factors the Commission has been expressly mandated to consider while framing its recommendations? 1. The economic conditions in the country and the need for fiscal prudence 2. The unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes 3. The likely impact on the finances of State Governments 4. The prevailing emolument structure of employees of the United Nations system Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The economic conditions in the country and the need for fiscal prudence
  2. The unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes
  3. The likely impact on the finances of State Governments
  4. The prevailing emolument structure of employees of the United Nations system
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of the 8th Central Pay Commission, becoming the first woman to head a Central Pay Commission in India?

  • A. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
  • B. Justice Indu Malhotra
  • C. Justice R. Banumathi
  • D. Justice Indira Banerjee

Q5. The 8th Central Pay Commission is exclusively notified and serviced by which one of the following entities of the Union Government?

  • A. Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
  • B. Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance
  • C. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
  • D. Cabinet Secretariat