8th CPC news: Defence civilian staff pushes for equal pay, promotions at par with Railway employees; seeks risk, hardship allowances
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8th CPC demands: What defence employees seek
In a meeting with 8th Pay Commission officials in New Delhi this week,the All India Defence Employees’ Federation (AIDEF) has demanded that defence civilian employees be granted the same risk and hardship allowances as uniformed personnel, as well as equal pay scales, promotions and some benefits at par with railway employees.
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AIDEF seeks equal pay, promotions at par with Railways employees
According to AIDEF general secretary C Srikumar, the defence civilian employee association has asked for the same pay rate, career promotion opportunities and some other privileges as Indian Railway employees get.
In a circular dated May 13, 2026, AIDEF says Indian Railways and the Ministry of Defence are the major employers of industrial employees, but defence civilian employees are always discriminated against in matters of pay scales, promotion, inter-grade ratio for the artisan staff compared to Railway employees.
AIDEF also claimed that, despite the fact that the defence industry requires a high level of precision and zero tolerance in the production of guns, ammunition, explosives, weapons, and dangerous chemicals, they face discrimination.
In a circular dated May 13, 2026, AIDEF says Indian Railways and the Ministry of Defence are the major employers of industrial employees, but defence civilian employees are always discriminated against in matters of pay scales, promotion, inter-grade ratio for the artisan staff compared to Railway employees.
AIDEF also claimed that, despite the fact that the defence industry requires a high level of precision and zero tolerance in the production of guns, ammunition, explosives, weapons, and dangerous chemicals, they face discrimination.
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End disparity between defence civilian staff and uniformed personnel
The AIDEF circular states that defence civilian employees work alongside Armed Forces personnel in defence establishments, including border areas and high altitudes. AIDEF has demanded a risk allowance of Rs 15,000 per month.
“However, many benefits, such as risk and hardship allowances are available to armed forces personnel but not to defence civilian employees. Such discrimination should not be there in such welfare matters, etc,” the circular reads.
“However, many benefits, such as risk and hardship allowances are available to armed forces personnel but not to defence civilian employees. Such discrimination should not be there in such welfare matters, etc,” the circular reads.
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Rs 2 crore ex-gratia, martyr status for accidental deaths
AIDEF says many defence civilian employees die in accidents such as explosions, etc, for which, their family gets only Rs 25 lakh as an ex-gratia payment.
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AIDEF says such ex-gratia payment should be increased to Rs 2 crore.
“Moreover, the status of martyr should be conferred on defence civilian employees who die in accidents while performing their duty,” says AIDEF.
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5 mandatory promotions for Group B, C defence staff
AIDEF suggests that due to the current stagnation and unnecessary delay in cadre reviews, all Group C and Group B defence civilian employees should get at least five promotions in the form of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACP) over a span of 30 years of service.