The 8th Pay Commission officially takes effect from January 1, 2026, but higher salaries will not be credited immediately. Revised pay is expected later, likely in 2027 or 2028, along with arrears dating back to January 2026. The extent of the salary increase will depend on the final fitment factor, which could significantly lift basic pay across all levels. For both employees and pensioners, the real benefit lies in the backdated revision and accumulated arrears.