Which one of the following statements is not correct about 7 th Central Pay Commission ?

The correct answer is C. The 7th Central Pay Commission was given a mandate of 18 months, not three years, to submit its report. It did submit in late 2015, and that timeline was the original one, so the statement is wrong.

• A is correct: The composition was approved in early February 2014, around 4 February, under the UPA government. The formal notification followed later in February.
• B is correct: Justice (retd.) A.K. Mathur was appointed Chairman of the 7th CPC.
• D is correct: The revised pay and allowances recommended by the Commission were made effective from 1 January 2016.

The core concept is the constitution and working of Pay Commissions under the Government of India, which are set up under executive orders and not under a statute. Their recommendations shape the fiscal burden on the Centre and states, which links directly to Mains GS-III on public finance and fiscal federalism.

Trap: Aspirants often confuse the 7th CPC's 18-month term with a three-year tenure or mix up the approval date and the notification date. Remember the key dates and the mandate period together.