LTC Rules 1988 - Clarifications/Modifications in the LTC Instructions & FAQ

Comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) guide related to the Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988, issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Government of India, dated 01 July 2025.

A. FAMILY

• Definition of family for LTC purposes

• Eligibility of various relatives (e.g., spouse, children, parents, siblings)

• Dependency criteria (income below ₹9000 + DR)

• Rules for family members not residing with the employee

• Eligibility for children above 25 years, in-laws, separate travel of family members, etc.

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B. BLOCK YEAR

• Block year defined as four calendar years (current: 2022–2025)

• Sub-blocks for employees with different home towns and headquarters

• Eligibility for two LTCs in a calendar year, carry-forward rules

• Eligibility of LTC for those in NCR but residing outside Delhi

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C. LEAVE ENCASHMENT

• Permitted for family-only LTC

• Rules for leave encashment in case of no fare claims

• Applicability if both spouses are central govt. employees

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D. LEAVE

• Types of leave allowed during LTC

• No leave required when only family members travel

• Leave is mandatory for employee to avail LTC, even on holidays

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E. JOURNEY BY ROAD, RAIL, AND SEA

• Authorized modes of travel

• Use of taxi/personal vehicle under special conditions (e.g., disability)

• Journey reimbursements and limitations for private transport/ferries

• Specific train types like Vande Bharat, Tejas, etc., allowed under LTC

• Time limits and conditions for claim settlement

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F. JOURNEY BY AIR

• Booking through Authorized Travel Agencies (ATAs) only: Balmer Lawrie, ATT, IRCTC

• No LTC-80 scheme (Air India is no longer a PSU)

• Rules for cheapest fare, cancellations, service tax, etc.

• Air travel eligibility under Special Dispensation Scheme to NER, J&K, Ladakh, A&N

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G. SPECIAL DISPENSATION SCHEME

• Valid from 26 Sep 2024 to 25 Sep 2026

• Rules for air travel to NER, A&N, J&K, Ladakh under relaxed conditions

• Conversion of Home Town LTC to travel to these regions

• Sikkim included in NER; Lakshadweep not included

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H. FRESH RECRUITS

• Entitled to 8 LTCs in first 8 years: 6 Home Town + 2 Anywhere in India

• Block years based on date of joining, not calendar blocks

• No carry forward allowed

• Examples with detailed tables

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I. RELAXATIONS / REFERENCES TO DoPT

• Time limits and competent authorities for approving exceptions (e.g., booking via unauthorized agents)

• Procedure for referring issues to DoPT

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J. FAMILY STAYING AWAY FROM HQ/HT

• Rules on how LTC is counted if family stays away from the employee’s HQ

• Fare restrictions and classifications depending on place of stay