1. Review staff classification
2. Expand allowances coverage
3. Include pension-related issues
4. Category-specific representation
5. Focus on career progression
6. Allow legal judgments submission
7. Increase number of themes
8. Remove content limitations
9. Accept physical submissions
Even as the 8th Pay Commission (8th CPC) has extended the deadline to submit responses to its 18-question document related to pay, allowances and other job-related conditions of central government employees, Indian Railways Technical Supervisors' Association (IRTSA) wants more elements to be included in the questionnaire.In a letter written to Ranjana Desai, chairperson, 8th Pay Commission, KV Ramesh, secretary general, IRTSA, wrote that stakeholders should be allowed to submit responses offline and the commission should also include questions related to more allowances, pension and pensioner rights, new classification of Group A, B and C employees, among others.The 8th Pay Commission is seeking online responses from employees, pensioners, employee unions and other stakeholders to 18 questions it has posted on its website. The earlier deadline for online submission of these questions was March 16, 2026, which has now been extended to March 31, 2026.Here are the elements that IRTSA wants the 8th Pay Commission to be include in its questionnaire section-The Railway technical body writes the central government staff structure is presently based on the classification of posts into Group A, Group B, and Group C.IRSTA says over the time, significant changes have occurred in the nature of duties, responsibilities, technological advancements and organisational requirements across various departments.The Railway body argues in view of these developments, any modification or improvement in the existing classification structure warrants a comprehensive and detailed examination by the 8th Central Pay Commission.“It is therefore requested that the issue of the classification of posts may kindly be included as one of the themes for detailed study and consideration by the 8th Central Pay Commission, so that an appropriate and updated framework may be evolved keeping in view the present administrative and functional requirements,” writes IRSTA in its letter.IRTSA writes the 7th Pay Commission has dealt with 196 allowances, but in theCPC theme, only 12 groups of allowances are mentioned.The Railway body says since each allowance is given for specific purpose, to different group of staff, provision given in 8th CPC theme format is insufficient. It has asked the 8Pay Commission to expand the theme of allowances.The Railway body writes there is no specific mention about pension and family pension in the 8CPC questionnaire.IRSTA says even though major retirement benefits are mentioned, some other retirement benefits are missing.The Railway body says the current questionnaire format doesn’t have any specific provision for the expression of concerns and response to problems attached to specific multiple categories.For example, IRTSA wishes to represent for categories- junior engineer, senior section engineer, (working in four technical departments with different suffix in designation) chemical & metallurgical assistant, chemical & metallurgical superintendent, depot material superintendent, chief depot material superintendent, junior engineer (IT) and senior engineer (IT) working in Indian Railways. There should be provision for expression of concerns and response to challenges attached to each category/designation.IRSTA writes in the career progression theme-related question in the 8CPC questionnaire, only Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) is mentioned.The Railway body suggests that career progression should primarily be focused on functional promotions and hence, this theme should be modified accordingly.The Railway body suggests specific provisions should be made in the questionnaire for posting judgements of Hon’ble central administrative tribunals, High Courts and the Supreme Court of India arising out of legal cases filed by respective unions/associations/individuals.IRSTA writes that nine online themes presently proposed do not cover all the areas addressed by previous Pay Commissions. The Railway body has requested the 8CPC to increase the number of themes, taking into consideration the experience and scope of earlier Pay Commissions, so that all relevant aspects are adequately covered.The Railway body writes that the restriction of 3500 characters each for concerns/views and response to challenges/problems for nine themes are grossly insufficient and size for supporting document as one attachment is very minimum.IRSTA says the number of characters for each theme should be increased substantially and supporting documents for every theme without restriction in size should be allowed.IRSTA writes the 8th Pay Commission is requested to receive the physical copies of memorandum by unions and associations over and above submission of memorandum online.