The New Year 2026 has already begun. From the PNG price cut LPG cylinder price hike to Aadhaar-Pan linking several new rules have come into effect from January 1 that are set to directly impact the finances of the common people. One of the most significant changes is the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission. Several media reports suggest that the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission was scheduled to come into effect on January 1 2026. The Union government had already approved the move earlier. The decision is expected to benefit around 50 lakh central government employees and nearly 69 lakh pensioners. However a review of official government records the Terms of Reference (ToR) and responses provided in Parliament presents a different narrative. To begin with it is essential to know that the words implementation and launch are two separate things. According to the Financial Express report the issuance of its ToR the implementation of its recommendations and the formation of the Pay Commission are three distinct phases. The government has issued the ToR for the 8th Pay Commission but as of this date the ToR has not been forwarded to any one of the interested parties and has not been implemented.