8th Pay Commission: Nurses demand Level 10 entry pay, OPS, higher allowances; 8 key points

The Nurses Welfare Association (NWA), representing nurses posted at central government hospitals, has submitted several demands to 8th Pay Commission officials in Chandigarh. The proposals cover entry-level pay, night duty and risk allowances, insurance, HRA and other benefits, as well as restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. Here are the eight major demands raised by the nurses’ body.

The NWA has sought Level 10 entry-level pay for nursing officers, which would bring them on par with the Military Nursing Service, according to the association. It has linked the demand to the upgraded eligibility requirement from GNM to B.Sc. Nursing and earlier recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding the pay level for nursing officers.

Nurses have also asked for a dedicated night duty allowance for nursing officials. The demand recognises the nature of work performed during night shifts and seeks a separate allowance for those duties. If considered, this would be an additional component of compensation for eligible nursing staff working night schedules.

The NWA has demanded implementation of a risk and hardship allowance under the R1H1 matrix. The association says nursing work involves challenging conditions that warrant such compensation. In the matrix referred to by the NWA, R1 represents the highest level of occupational risk, while H1 denotes the most extreme level of hardship.

The nurses’ body has sought comprehensive term insurance and health insurance coverage for healthcare workers. The NWA cited the health risks faced by nurses and pointed to protections provided during the Covid-19 pandemic as a model. The proposal aims to provide financial and medical protection against health hazards associated with healthcare work.

The NWA has made a city-specific demand for Chandigarh to be placed in the A1, or Tier 1, city category by considering the combined population of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. According to the association, this would ensure a fairer House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Transport Allowance (TA) for staff working in the region.

The NWA has sought continuation of the nursing allowance, dress allowance and special allowance, along with a threefold increase in their existing levels. The association has also demanded continuation of the qualification allowance for nurses in the form of two non-absorbable increments, making allowance and qualification- linked benefits an important part of its recommendations.

The NWA has also called for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The central government discontinued OPS from December 31, 2003, with NPS beginning from January 1, 2004. The government later introduced UPS under NPS from April 1, 2025. Central government employees can now opt for NPS or UPS under the current framework.

The eight proposals raised by the NWA are demands submitted to the 8th Pay Commission, not announced pay or allowance revisions. They cover salary levels, duty-related allowances, insurance, city classification, qualification benefits and pension. The NWA is among several central government bodies that have raised pension-related demands, including calls for restoration of OPS.