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8th Pay Commission: Central government employees are eagerly awaiting the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission. Meanwhile, recent reports indicate that changes have been made to the rules regarding consultants. Let us take a look.

8th Pay Commission: Central government employees are keenly awaiting the 8th Pay Commission's recommendations. Amidst this, meetings are being held across various states, and decisions are being made; continuous dialogue is taking place with organizations representing employees and pensioners. Recently, news has emerged that the 8th Pay Commission has modified the rules concerning consultants.

Which rules have changed?

The 8th Pay Commission has recently revised the rules for consultant recruitment. These changes are expected to create more positions for young professionals. In an Office Memorandum dated August 11, the Commission modified the guidelines for hiring consultants—effective from April. The revised rules alter the criteria regarding experience, age limits, and the number of positions across various categories.

Consultants to be divided into three categories

According to the Commission, consultant positions are being categorized into three groups based on experience. The first category comprises 'Senior Consultants,' requiring a minimum of 10 years of experience and a maximum age of 45 years; there will be 2 such posts. The second category includes consultants with at least 6 years of experience and a maximum age of 40 years; there will be 5 such posts. The third category consists of 'Young Professionals,' requiring a minimum of 2 years of experience and a maximum age of 32 years; there will be 16 such posts. In total, there will be 23 consultant positions across these categories.

No specific degree required

The Commission has clarified that eligibility for these positions is not restricted to any specific degree. Candidates holding a Master’s degree or an MBA in HR, Industrial Relations, or related fields are eligible to apply. Additionally, law graduates enrolled with a Bar Council or Bar Association may apply if they possess experience in legal research or handling service-related matters before tribunals and courts. Candidates with B.Tech and M.Tech degrees may also be eligible, particularly if they have experience in IT, data analysis, or data visualization.

No Need to Re-apply

The Commission has clarified that candidates who had already applied under the previously issued rules do not need to apply again. New candidates are required to apply online only; applications submitted via physical forms, email, or hard copies will not be accepted. The Commission stated that the remaining terms and conditions outlined in the guidelines issued in April will remain unchanged.