Faisal Ahmed Sweet, Reporter || The government has gazetted the National Pay Scale 2026 for public servants, with the new pay structure deemed effective from July 1, 2026.However, not all government employees will be covered by the new pay scale. The gazette, issued by the Finance Ministry under Section 15 of the Government Service Act 2018, excludes several categories of employees.Employees of the Bangladesh Judicial Service, members of the defence services, police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will remain outside the scope of the new pay scale. Certain workers, apprentices and trainees of state-owned industrial enterprises have also been excluded.Employees hired through outsourcing, daily-rated temporary workers, and contractual or part-time employees will also not receive the benefits under the new pay structure.Pay rise to be implemented in phasesThe new pay scale will be implemented in phases rather than in full immediately.For employees in Grade 9 and above, 40 percent of the difference between the new basic salary and the salary received or due on June 30, 2026, will be paid from July 1 to December 31, 2026.For employees in Grades 10 to 20, the corresponding rate will be 50 percent.From January 1 to June 30, 2027, the rates will rise to 70 percent and 75 percent respectively. The full basic salary under the new pay scale, along with annual increments, will take effect from July 1, 2027.Although the pay scale is deemed effective from July 1, its gazette was published on September 19. Employees will therefore receive arrears for the period between July 1 and the date of publication, with previously received special benefits to be adjusted against the arrears.Pension benefits also to risePensioners will also receive increased benefits in phases.For pensioners with an existing net pension of Tk 20,001 or more, 40 percent of the increase in net pension will be paid from July 1 to December 31, 2026. For those receiving Tk 1 to Tk 20,000, the corresponding rate will be 50 percent.The rates will increase to 70 percent and 75 percent respectively from January 1 to June 30, 2027. Full net pension under the National Pay Scale 2026 will be effective from July 1, 2027.Retired employees and lifelong family pensioners will also receive arrears for the period from July 1, 2026 until the date of publication of the gazette.