CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988 — Complete Study Notes | CSS ADDA

🔔 Current Block Year: 2022–2025 (Sub-blocks: 2022–23 & 2024–25) | Next Block: 2026–2029 | DoPT FAQs O.M. dated 01.07.2025 | Tejas / Vande Bharat / Humsafar allowed vide O.M. dated 14.01.2025

CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988 — Study Notes

Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 · Consolidated as per DoPT Guidelines dated 30.04.2024 & FAQs dated 01.07.2025 · CSS ADDA Promotion Exams Portal

Rule 1 Short Title, Commencement & Application

1. Citation & Commencement

📌These rules are called the Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988.
📅They came into force on 21st May, 1988 (date of publication in the Official Gazette).

2. Applicable To —

✅Persons appointed to civil services and posts, including civilian Government servants in the Defence Services, in connection with the affairs of the Union.
✅Persons employed under a State Government and who are on deputation with the Central Government.
✅Persons appointed on a contract basis.
✅Persons re-employed after retirement.

3. NOT Applicable To —

🚫Government servants not in whole-time employment.
🚫Persons in casual and daily rated employment.
🚫Persons paid from contingencies.
🚫Railway servants. ⚠️ Exception below
🚫Members of the Armed Forces.
🚫Local recruits in Indian Missions abroad.
🚫Persons eligible to any other form of travel concession available during leave or otherwise.

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 1

🚂 Decision 1 — Railway Employees: All India LTC Allowed

✅Railway employees may avail "All India LTC" once in a block of four years under CCS(LTC) Rules, subject to conditions:

▸All India LTC is purely optional — no compulsion in any block year.
▸No Home Town LTC admissible; no Home Town converted LTC either.
▸Must surrender Privilege Passes in the calendar year they intend to avail LTC.
▸If Privilege Pass already availed in that year → LTC not allowed.
▸If both spouses are Railway employees → both must surrender Privilege Passes.
▸CCS(LTC) Rules definition of family applies — even if beneficiaries are not entitled for Privilege Pass.

🏢 Decision 2 — CG Employee Whose Spouse Works in Railways

📢May avail All India LTC (independently or with family) — subject to surrender of Privilege Passes + undertaking.
💰Spouse working in Railways may be allowed encashment of leave (10 days) on All India LTC availed by the CG employee.

🏛️ Decision 3 — Autonomous Bodies & Industrial Staff

🔄Officers of autonomous bodies on deputation to CG → treated as temporary GS and allowed LTC accordingly.
🏗️Industrial and work-charged staff entitled to regular leave → eligible for LTC same as other CG employees.

Rule 2 Special Provisions Regarding Certain Categories of Employees

ℹ️ Scope of Rule 2

🎯Applies to:
(ii) State Govt. deputation,
(iii) Contract basis, and
(iv) Re-employed persons.

1. Eligibility After Completion of Service —

⏳LTC admissible on completion of one year's continuous service under CG.
📋
Administrative authority must certify likely continuation for:
- 🏠At least 2 years — for Home Town LTC.
- 🗺️At least 4 years — for Any Place in India LTC.

2. Officers on Contract —

📝If initial contract is for one year but later extended → total duration taken into account for LTC.

3. Re-employed Persons —

🔄Re-employed immediately after retirement without break → re-employed period treated as continuous with previous service.
⚠️LTC allowed only if it would have been admissible had the officer not retired.

💡 Illustration

📖If an officer availed AI LTC for a block of 4 years before retirement and is re-employed without break → cannot avail this concession till the expiry of that block.

Rule 3 Scope

🔭The LTC will cover the Government servant himself and his family.

Rule 4 Definitions

1. "A Place in India" —

🗺️Covers any place within the territory of India, whether mainland or overseas (A&N, Lakshadweep).
⚠️Local restrictions on border areas → GS's responsibility to fulfil.

2. "Controlling Officer" —

👤Officer declared as such under Supplementary Rule 191.

3. "Family" — ⭐ Most Important

✅ Included in "Family"

👫Spouse — irrespective of residence. No dependency condition.
👧Two eldest surviving unmarried children / step children — wholly dependent, irrespective of residence.
👩Divorced / abandoned / separated / widowed daughters — residing with & wholly dependent.
👴Parents and/or step parents — wholly dependent, irrespective of residence.
👦Unmarried minor brothers + unmarried/divorced/abandoned/separated/widowed sisters — residing with & wholly dependent, provided parents not alive or themselves wholly dependent on GS.

❌ NOT Included

🚫Parents-in-law
🚫Grandparents
🚫Children of divorced/widowed sisters
🚫Children of divorced/widowed daughters
🚫More than one wife (exception below)
🚫Any other person not covered under Rule 4(d)

4. Explanations to Rule 4(d)

📌 Explanation 1 — Two-Child Norm Exceptions

1️⃣Already had more than two children before 20.10.1997.
2️⃣Children born within one year of restriction.
3️⃣Number exceeds two due to second child birth resulting in multiple births.

📌 Explanation 2 — Second Wife

👰Not more than one wife included. Exception: second marriage with specific Government permission → second wife also included.

⚠️ Explanation 3: Children of divorced/abandoned/separated/widowed sisters are NOT included.

5. Dependency Criterion

💰Income from all sources (including pension, temp. increase, excluding DR) not exceeding minimum family pension + DR thereon (presently ₹9,000/- + DR as per 7th CPC) → deemed wholly dependent.
💡Dependency NOT applicable to husband & wife — one unit for LTC.

7. GOI Decisions on Family & Residence

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 4

🏠 Decision 1 — Spouse & Children NOT at HQ

✅LTC allowed from place of residence to hometown/any place in India. Reimbursement capped at actual distance OR HQ-to-destination, whichever is less.

🔓 Decision 2 — Family Journey TO Headquarters: Full Reimbursement

✅Full reimbursement for journey from any place in India to HQ and back. From HT → counted as HT LTC; from other place → counted as AI LTC. Prospective effect.

👰 Decision 3 — Newly Married Spouse

✅Female GS gets married at hometown on LTC → husband entitled to LTC for journey from HT to her HQ.
✅Newly married wife coming from HT to HQ → entitled to return journey reimbursement.

📋 Decision 4 — Outward / Return Journey Only Cases

📢LTC admissible to family with reference to facts at time of forward and return journeys independently.
➡️Outward only: Child gets employment/married after going to HT; family foregoes return journey in writing.
⬅️Return only: Newly married wife from HT; dependent child returning from studies; child completing 5/12 years at return; legally adopted child.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Decision 5 — Both Spouses Are Government Servants

✅May declare separate hometowns and claim LTC separately.
⚠️If one avails as member of other's family → cannot claim independently.
👧Children eligible in one block as family of one parent only.

♿ Decision 6 — Escort for Handicapped GS

✅LTC for escort allowed subject to: (1) HoD prior approval each occasion, (2) disability necessitates escort, (3) no adult family member, (4) avail concessional fare, (5) no other LTC-entitled person accompanies.

⏸️ Decision 7 — Suspension & LPR

🚫GS under suspension cannot avail LTC; family members can.
✅LTC allowed both ways during LPR — return journey must complete before LPR expiry.

8. "Hometown" —

🏠Town, village or place declared by GS and accepted by Controlling Officer.

9. "Shortest Direct Route" — Rule 4(f)

🛤️Same meaning as in Supplementary Rule 30.

Rule 5 Change of Hometown

1. General Principle — Finality

📌Hometown once declared and accepted by CO → treated as final.

2. Change — Exceptional Circumstances Only

⚠️Change authorised by Head of Department (or Administrative Ministry if GS is HoD).
🔒Change shall not be made more than once during entire service.

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 5

📋 Decision 1 — Simplified Verification

✅Initial declaration may be accepted at face value. Detailed check only when GS seeks a change.

🏠 Decision 2 — Test for Determining Hometown

🔍Correct test: Place where GS would normally reside but for absence for Government service.
📋
Sequential criteria (next applies only if preceding not satisfied):
- ①Place requiring physical presence at intervals for domestic/social obligations + visited frequently.
- ②GS owns residential property there / joint family property.
- ③Near relations resident there (permanent nature).
- ④GS lived there for some years before Government service.
🏘️Property in more than one place → GS may choose with reasons → CO's decision final.

👤 Decision 3 — Officers Who Are Own CO

📢Must declare hometown to next superior administrative authority. C&AG and Secretaries communicate directly to Accounts Officers.

🏢 Decision 4 — HQ = Hometown: No HT LTC

🚫HQ and Hometown same → not eligible for HT LTC. Eligible only for AI LTC once in 4 years.

🏙️ Decision 5 — NCR Cities Outside Delhi

✅Cities outside Delhi in other NCR states are not treated as Delhi HQ. GS with Delhi HQ residing in NCR cities → eligible for HT Concession.

Rule 6 Declaration of Place of Visit Under LTC to Any Place in India

1. Advance Declaration — Mandatory

📍Intended place of visit shall be declared in advance to the Controlling Officer.

2. Change Before Journey

✅May be changed before commencement — with CO's approval.

3. Change After Commencement — Exceptional Only

⚠️May not be changed after commencement except in exceptional circumstances (request could not be made before due to circumstances beyond control).
🏛️Relaxation by Administrative Ministry/Department or HoD.

💡 Key Exam Points

1️⃣Advance declaration mandatory only for Any Place in India LTC — not HT LTC.
2️⃣Before journey: CO can approve change. After journey starts: Only HoD / Admin Ministry.
3️⃣Each family member may visit different places (Rule 11).

Rule 7 Admissibility of Leave Travel Concession

1. Minimum Service — Rule 7(1)

⏳Admissible if one year's continuous service completed on the date of journey.

2. Leave During Which LTC is Admissible — Rule 7(2)

✅Admissible during any period of leave: Casual Leave, Special CL, CCL, Study Leave, Regular Leave (EL, HPL, Commuted, EOL), Medical Leave, Vacation (treated as regular leave).

🚫 NOT Admissible during weekend/holidays alone without any leave.

✅ Exception — Family Only Travel

👨‍👩‍👧When only family members travel → GS need not avail leave.

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 7

📋 Decision 1 — Procedural Requirements

📢Inform CO before journey; produce evidence (ticket nos., PNR, receipts). Service record must note LTC availed/not on each leave occasion. Class of accommodation = entitled class at time of journey.

🚫 Decision 2 — Not Admissible on Resignation

🚫GS who proceeds on leave then resigns without returning to duty → LTC not admissible.

🔄 Decision 3 — Technical Resignation

✅LTC entitlement carried forward on Technical Resignation. GS resigning within 8 years → treated as fresh recruit from date of initial appointment (e.g., 4 years served → fresh recruit for remaining 4 years in new Dept.).

🌐 Decision 4 — Hometown Outside India

✅Entitled to LTC. Govt. assistance limited to fare up to nearest railway station to HT or nearest port of embarkation in India.

📚 Decision 5 — LTC During Study Leave

✅Admissible. Self: From study place to HT/AI — reimbursement capped at HQ-to-destination or actual, whichever less. Family with GS: Same. Family elsewhere: Normal LTC terms.

🔀 Decision 6 — LTC + Transfer/Tour TA Combination

📋Three scenarios: (1) LTC + Transfer: Transfer TA as minimum + LTC for excess distance via HT. (2) LTC + Tour (from tour station): Tour TA to tour station + LTC from tour station to HT and back. (3) LTC + Tour (to tour station): LTC HQ→HT + Tour TA HT→tour station→HQ. Applicable to All India LTC also.

🎓 Decision 7 — Training / Deputation

📋Training in India: Training place = HQ for LTC. If HQ changed under SR 59 → new HQ for LTC. Training abroad: Govt. liability limited to original HQ→HT→original HQ.

🏭 Decision 8 — Deputation to PSUs

📋Option: PSU LTC or CG LTC, whichever more favourable. Cannot avail both for same block. Top-level PSU: CG LTC if incorporated in foreign service terms.

👶 Decision 9 — Fresh Recruits: 8-Occasion Scheme

🆕8 LTC occasions in first 8 years (personal, calendar-year basis): 1–3 HT, 4th AI, 5–7 HT, 8th AI. After 1 year of regular service. No carryover — lapses at year-end. After 8 years → merges into running regular block. HQ=HT → only 4th & 8th occasions (AI only).

🗺️ Decision 10 — NER / A&N / J&K / Ladakh / Lakshadweep Employees

📋Two LTC options + "Emergency Passage Concession" on 2 additional occasions during entire career (spouse & dependent children only) — to HT or selected place of family residence.

✈️ Decision 11 — LTC During CCL

✅LTC admissible during Child Care Leave.

👫 Decision 12 — Family Separate Travel

✅Separate claims for separate journeys allowed. No time-limit between groups. Carry forward permitted even if one group has availed.

Rule 8 Types of Leave Travel Concession

1. Home Town LTC —

🏠Admissible irrespective of distance between HQ and hometown.
📅Frequency: Once in a block of two calendar years (e.g., 2022–23, 2024–25).

2. Any Place in India LTC —

🗺️Admissible irrespective of distance of place of visit from HQ.
📅Frequency: Once in a block of four calendar years (e.g., 2022–25, 2026–29).

⚠️ PROVISO (Critical): For a GS entitled to HT LTC, the AI LTC availed shall be in lieu of, and adjusted against, the HT LTC available at the time of commencement. Availing AI LTC consumes one HT LTC.

3. Annual Home Town LTC (Special Option) —

🔄GS whose family lives away at hometown may, in lieu of all concessions (including AI LTC), choose LTC for self only to visit hometown every year.

⚠️ Either/Or Option

💡Opting for 8(c) means giving up both regular HT LTC (self+family) and AI LTC. Gets self-only annual HT visit only.

4. Block Year Structure — Visual Summary

🏠 HQ ≠ Hometown

Block of 4 years → two sub-blocks of 2 years. In each sub-block: either HT or AI — remaining in next sub-block.

🏢 HQ = Hometown

One AI LTC only in entire block of 4 years. No HT LTC admissible.

Table: Options When HQ ≠ Hometown (Current Block 2022–2025)

Block Year	Sub-Block 2022–23	Sub-Block 2024–25
Option 1	🏠 Home Town	🗺️ Any Place in India
Option 2	🗺️ Any Place in India	🏠 Home Town

Table: When HQ = Hometown

Previous Block 2018–21	Current Block 2022–25	Next Block 2026–29
🗺️ Any Place in India	🗺️ Any Place in India	🗺️ Any Place in India

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 8

📅 Decision 1 — Block Year Automatic Extension (Grace Period)

⏩Block of 4 years and sub-block of 2 years automatically extended by one year (up to 31st Dec of next calendar year).
💡Example: Sub-block 2022–23 → extended up to 31.12.2024. Block 2022–25 → extended up to 31.12.2026.

🔢 Decision 2 — Two LTCs in One Calendar Year

✅HQ ≠ HT: Two LTCs possible in one year — one unavailed of previous sub-block (carried forward) + one of current sub-block.

▸In 2024: One of 2022–23 + one of 2024–25.
▸In 2026: One of 2024–25 + one of 2026–27.

✅HQ = HT: Two AI LTCs in first year of each block.

▸In 2026: One of 2022–25 + one of 2026–29.

👨‍👩‍👧 Decision 3 — Mixed LTC Types by Family Members

✅Some members can avail HT LTC while others avail AI LTC in the same sub-block.

📎 Rule 9 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988

Rule 9 Counting of LTC Against Particular Blocks

1. Different Groups, Different Times

👨‍👩‍👧GS and family may travel in different groups at different times during a block.

2. Counting Rule — Outward Journey Determines Block

📅Counted against the block within which the outward journey commenced, even if return journey after expiry of the block.

💡 Key Exam Point

📌Outward journey date is decisive — not return journey. Also applies to carried-forward LTC under Rule 10.

3. No Restriction on Destinations

✅No restriction — family members may travel separately, to different destinations, at different times during a block.

4. No Time-Limit Between Groups

✅No time-limit stipulation between when different groups travel. Carry forward also permitted even if one group has availed in that block.

💡 Illustration

📖GS avails AI LTC in sub-block 2024–25 with outward journey on 28 Dec 2025, return on 10 Jan 2026. Counted against 2024–25 block (outward commenced within that block).

Rule 10 Carry Over of Leave Travel Concession

1. Basic Carry Over Rule

⏩GS unable to avail LTC within a block may avail within the first year of the next block.

ℹ️ Grace Period (Automatic Extension)

📅Blocks automatically extended by one year:

▸Sub-block 2022–23 → Carry over up to 31.12.2024
▸Sub-block 2024–25 → Carry over up to 31.12.2026
▸Block 2022–25 (HQ=HT) → Carry over up to 31.12.2026

2. Condition for Carrying Forward All India LTC

⚠️GS entitled to HT LTC can carry forward AI LTC for a block of 4 years only if he has also carried forward the HT LTC of the second sub-block of 2 years within that block.

⚠️ TRICKIEST PROVISION: You cannot carry forward AI LTC alone if you have already availed the second sub-block's HT LTC. Both must remain unavailed for AI LTC to be carried forward.

💡 Carry Over Scenarios

✅Valid: GS avails HT in 2022–23, does NOT avail anything in 2024–25 → can carry forward both HT (of 2024–25) and AI (of 2022–25) to 2026.
🚫Invalid: GS avails HT in 2022–23 AND avails HT in 2024–25 → wants to carry forward AI to 2026. NOT allowed — second sub-block HT already used.
✅HQ = HT: One AI LTC per block. If not availed in 2022–25 → carry forward to 2026.

3. Fresh Recruits — No Carry Over

🚫No carryover for fresh recruits — every-year LTC. If not availed → lapses at year-end.

Rule 11 Place to be Visited Under LTC to Any Place in India

1. Different Places — Full Freedom

🗺️GS and each family member may visit different places of their choice during a block of 4 years.
✅Not necessary for family to visit the same place as GS visited earlier in the same block.

✅ Key Freedoms Under Rule 11

1️⃣Different places: GS → Goa; wife → Shimla; children → Kerala — all in same block.
2️⃣Different times: Family need not travel together (Rule 9).
3️⃣Mixed types: Some members visit HT, others visit AI — same sub-block.

⚠️ Important Restrictions (from Other Rules)

🛤️Reimbursement by shortest direct route only (Rule 13 + Rule 4(f)).
🚫Private tour packages NOT allowed. Only ITDC/STDCs/IRCTC tours (with conditions).
💰No incidental expenses or local journey costs reimbursable.
🚫Travel by helicopter not allowed.
✈️Break journey by air not allowed (except connecting flights/layovers).

Rule 12 Entitlement

1. Basic Principle — Same as TA Entitlement (Post 7th CPC)

🎫The travel entitlements of Government servants for LTC shall be the same as TA entitlements notified vide Ministry of Finance O.M. dated 13.07.2017.

⚠️ KEY EXCEPTION: Air travel entitlement for Level 6 to Level 8 of the Pay Matrix is allowed for TA (official tour/transfer) only — NOT for LTC. These employees must travel by entitled class of train on LTC.

2. Journey by Rail — Trains Allowed on LTC

🚂Travel allowed on LTC by: Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Tejas Rajdhani Express, Vande Bharat Express, and Humsafar Express trains — as per entitlement.

⚠️ Tejas Trains — Important Distinction

✅Only Tejas Rajdhani Express trains are covered under LTC.
🚫Reimbursement of ticket fare of plain Tejas Express trains is NOT allowed under LTC.

3. Flexi-Fare (Dynamic Fare) on Premium Trains

✅Flexi-fare (dynamic fare) applicable in Rajdhani / Shatabdi / Duronto trains shall be admissible for journeys performed by these trains on LTC.
🚫This dynamic fare component shall NOT be admissible where a non-entitled GS travels by air and claims reimbursement for the entitled class of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains. Such GS will get reimbursement after deducting the dynamic fare component.
📅Applicable retrospectively from 9th September, 2016 (date flexi-fare was introduced by Railways).

4. Children's Rail Fare on LTC

👧Children aged 5–12 years: Actual rail fare shall be reimbursed as per the choice of rail tickets purchased by the GS (full fare if berth/seat reserved; half fare if not reserved).
🚫Children below 5 years — Air journey: No reimbursement shall be made for air journey of children below 5 years of non-entitled GS. However, this restriction does not apply under the Special Dispensation Scheme segments.
🚫Children below 5 years — Rail: No separate berth reimbursement (as Railways do not charge for children below 5 travelling by rail without separate berth).

5. Use of Own / Hired Taxi on LTC — Disability Cases

♿Head of Department may allow use of own car / hired taxi for LTC journey on account of disability of GS or dependent family member, subject to:

①Medical Certificate from competent authority.
②Undertaking from GS that journey by authorised mode is not feasible and he actually travelled by own car/hired taxi.
③Claim shall not exceed the amount for journey by entitled class by rail/air by shortest route.

6. Tour Packages — What's Allowed, What's Not

✅ Allowed Tour Operators

ITDC (India Tourism Development Corporation)

STDCs (State Tourism Development Corporations)

IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation)

SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism & Sports) — Lakshadweep only

🚫 Not Allowed

Private tour operators / travel agents

Private buses, vans, or vehicles owned by private operators

Any tour package not by ITDC/STDCs/IRCTC/SPORTS

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 12 (Tour Packages)

🚌 Decision 1 — ITDC / STDC Tours

✅Tours conducted by ITDC/STDCs either in their own buses or buses hired/chartered by them from outside qualify for LTC — provided they certify that the journey was actually performed by the GS and family members.

🚂 Decision 2 — IRCTC Tours

✅
Tours by IRCTC qualify for LTC on the lines of ITDC/STDCs subject to conditions:
- ①IRCTC certifies that journey was actually performed.
- ②IRCTC indicates rail fare and bus fare components separately.
✅Air fare component in IRCTC tours (e.g., Delhi–Leh, Delhi–Srinagar, Chennai–Port Blair) is also reimbursable — provided IRCTC certifies all 3 components (air, rail, road) separately.

🏝️ Decision 3 — SPORTS Tours to Lakshadweep

✅
Tour packages by SPORTS to Lakshadweep Islands on ships owned and operated by Lakshadweep Administration are allowed, subject to:
- ①Only transportation charges shall be reimbursable (not accommodation).
- ②SPORTS shall issue certificate indicating fare components separately and certify actual journey.
- ③Fare reimbursement for boat/ship journey as per GS's TA entitlement for sea or river steamer.

7. Air Travel on LTC — Complete Guide

✈️ Three Authorized Travel Agents (ATAs)

①M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL) — https://govemp.balmerlawrietravelapp.com
②M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT) — https://www.attitdc.in
③Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) — https://www.air.irctc.co.in

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 12 (Air Travel)

✈️ Decision 4 — Entitled GS: Air Ticket Booking Rules

📋Air tickets to be purchased only from three ATAs. No agency charges/convenience fees payable.
💰Choose flight with Best Available Fare (cheapest fare or within 10% of cheapest) in a 3-hour slot at the time of booking.
⏰3-hour slots: 00:00–03:00, 03:00–06:00, 06:00–09:00, 09:00–12:00, 12:00–15:00, 15:00–18:00, 18:00–21:00, 21:00–24:00.
📅Encouraged to book at least 21 days prior to intended date of travel.
🎫Book only one ticket per leg. Holding more than one ticket is not allowed.
📧Register official Government Email-ID with ATAs for digital booking. Employees without official email → admin office sends details to ATAs.
🚫No Mileage Points shall be generated against travel on Government account.
🔄Booking through ATA website is itself proof of cheapest fare (ATAs display only cheapest fare and fares within 10% band).
🏷️ATAs shall indicate word 'LTC' on tickets issued for LTC journey.

🚫 Decision 5 — Non-Entitled GS Travelling by Air

✅Non-entitled GS who wish to travel by air are no longer required to mandatorily book through three ATAs. They can book from any source.
💰Reimbursement restricted to actual air fare or entitled train/bus fare for shortest route, whichever is less.
🚫In case of cancellation → cancellation charges shall be borne by the GS.
⚠️Exception: Under Special Dispensation Scheme (NER/J&K/Ladakh/A&N) → non-entitled GS must still book through three ATAs only.

❌ Decision 6 — Cancellation Charges

📋Airline cancellation charges + ATA cancellation charges → reimbursed on the ground of official exigencies only.
⚠️Cancellations made less than 24 hours before intended travel → require submission of self-declared justification.
🚫Non-entitled GS (not under Special Dispensation) → cancellation charges borne by GS.

🔓 Decision 7 — Unauthorized Booking: Relaxation

⚠️
In unavoidable circumstances where booking is done from unauthorized agent/website → relaxation may be granted by:
- ▸Financial Advisors of Ministry/Department (for employees directly under Min/Dept); OR
- ▸Head of Department not below Joint Secretary (for employees in subordinate/attached offices).

🚫 Decision 8 — LTC 80 Scheme: No Longer Exists

🚫LTC 80 was a scheme by erstwhile Air India. As Air India is no longer a PSU of Government of India, the LTC 80 scheme is no more in existence.

🚁 Decision 9 — Helicopter: Not Allowed

🚫Government employees cannot travel by helicopter on LTC.

✈️ Decision 10 — Break Journey by Air: Not Allowed

🚫Break journey by air is not allowed. Break journey = staying at a place other than destination except for connecting flight or halt/layover of direct flight.

8. Special Dispensation Scheme — NER / J&K / Ladakh / A&N

✈️ Validity & Scope

📅Extended for two years w.e.f. 26 September 2024 till 25 September 2026.
🗺️Covers: North East Region (NER incl. Sikkim), UT of J&K, UT of Ladakh, UT of Andaman & Nicobar.
🚫Lakshadweep is NOT included in Special Dispensation Scheme.

Special Dispensation — Key Conditions

📋 Terms & Conditions

①Eligible GS may avail LTC to any place in NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh against conversion of one Home Town LTC in a 4-year block.
②GS whose HQ = HT → not allowed conversion (not eligible for HT LTC).
③GS whose HT is in NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh → allowed conversion to visit any place in any of the other 3 regions (except the region where HT is situated).
④Fresh Recruits: Allowed conversion of one of three HT LTCs in a block + one additional conversion to visit UT of J&K / UT of Ladakh in same block.
⑤Entitled GS: May travel by air from HQ in entitled class by any airline via ATAs.
⑥
Non-entitled GS: Allowed to travel by air in Economy class by any airlines in following sectors:
- ▸Kolkata / Guwahati ↔ any place in NER
- ▸Kolkata / Chennai / Visakhapatnam ↔ Port Blair
- ▸Delhi / Amritsar ↔ any place in J&K / Ladakh
Journey from HQ to these railheads → by entitled class of train/bus.
⑦Non-entitled GS may also travel directly by air from HQ to NER/A&N/J&K/Ladakh — but reimbursement restricted to actual air fare or fare entitled under the scheme, whichever is less.
⑧Air travel allowed whether availing against AI LTC or in lieu of HT LTC.
⑨Non-entitled GS under Special Dispensation must book through three ATAs only.

9. Miscellaneous — Catering, Taxes & Other Charges

🍽️Catering charges: Wherever employees opt for catering services while booking eligible trains on LTC → reimbursement of catering charges shall be allowed.
📋Service Tax, Education Cess and other similar levies on Air/Road/Rail/Steamer travel on LTC are reimbursable.
🎫E-ticketing charges: Reimbursement of charges for booking rail tickets through Indian Railways website is allowed.
🚫Service charges paid to recognised Travellers' Service Agents for booking tickets on LTC → NOT reimbursable.
🚫Incidental expenses and local journey expenses → NOT reimbursable. Only point-to-point journey on through ticket over shortest direct route.
🚫Daily Allowance: No DA admissible for travel on LTC. All incidental/local journey expenses borne by GS.

💡 Quick-Reference: What's Reimbursable & What's Not

✅ Reimbursable

Rail fare (entitled class) · Flexi-fare on Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto · Catering charges (opted at booking) · E-ticketing charges · Service Tax/Cess · Sleeper/Reservation charges · Air fare via ATAs (entitled) · ITDC/STDC/IRCTC tour fare · Cancellation charges (official exigency)

🚫 Not Reimbursable

Daily Allowance · Local journey/taxi to station · Incidental expenses · Service agent charges · Private tour packages · Helicopter · Mileage points · Tejas Express fare · Air fare of children <5 yrs (non-entitled GS) · Break journey by air

Rule 13 Reimbursement of Leave Travel Concession Claim

1. Basic Principle — What is Reimbursable

💰Reimbursement shall cover only the expenses of journey — and only on the basis of a point-to-point journey on a through ticket over the shortest direct route.
🚫Reimbursement shall NOT cover incidental expenses and expenditure incurred on local journeys.
🚫Daily Allowance is not admissible for travel on LTC — all incidental and local expenses are borne by the Government servant.

⚠️ EXAM CORNERSTONE: Reimbursement = Point-to-point journey + Through ticket + Shortest direct route. Any deviation from this triangle is NOT reimbursable.

2. Longer Route Travelled in Two Classes — Proportionate Entitlement

🚂When a GS or family member travels by a longer route (which is not the cheapest) in two different classes of railway accommodation, the Government's share shall be:

①Entitled class rate for the corresponding proportion of the shortest or cheapest route; AND
②Lower-class rate for the remaining mileage by such route.

💡 Numerical Illustration (from O.M.)

📖Total distance by longer route = 1,000 miles; distance by shortest route = 1,100 miles (in the example, cheapest is shorter). GS travelled 800 miles by III Class and 300 miles by II Class (longer route = 1,100 miles; total 800+300 = 1,100).

▸III Class mileage: (800/1,100) × 1,000 = 727 miles (rounded) — III Class fare applicable.
▸II Class mileage: (300/1,100) × 1,000 = 273 miles (rounded) — II Class fare applicable.
▸Since initial 250 miles are at Govt.'s cost → III Class fare for 727 miles plus 9/10th of II Class fare for 273 miles.

3. Concessional Circular Tour Ticket from Railways

🎫Where a GS and/or his family avails of the concessional circular tour ticket offered by the Railways in conjunction with LTC, the reimbursement shall be:

▸Fare at normal rate for the entitled/lower class actually used between headquarters and declared place of visit by the shortest route for to-and-fro journey.

4. Sleeper / Reservation Charges

✅
A GS and family are eligible for reimbursement of:
- 🛏️Sleeper charges + Reservation charges — for journey in Second Class.
- 📋Reservation charges only — for journey in First Class.

5. E-Ticketing Charges

💻Charges for booking of rail tickets through internet / e-ticketing via the website of Indian Railways → reimbursable for official tours and LTC journeys.
🚫Service charges paid to recognised Travellers' Service Agents for booking of tickets on LTC → NOT reimbursable.

6. Service Tax, Education Cess & Statutory Levies

📋The element of Service Tax, Education Cess and other similar levies charged by Government on travel by Air / Road / Rail / Steamer on tour / transfer or LTC are reimbursable to the individual officer.

7. Time-Limits for Processing LTC Applications / Claims

⏱️The following time-limits shall be followed while processing LTC applications/claims of Government servants:

Sl. No.	Course of Action	Time-Limit
1	Leave Sanction	5 working days + 3 working days*
2	Sanction of LTC advance / Leave encashment	5 working days + 3 working days*
3	Verification of LTC claim by Administration after LTC bill is submitted by GS for settlement	10 working days + 3 working days*
4	Time taken by DDO	5 working days + 3 working days*
5	Time taken by PAO	5 working days + 3 working days*

* Additional 3 days transit time allowed where place of posting is away from Headquarters.

ℹ️ Additional Procedural Requirements (O.M. 18.02.2016)

📋GS required to inform CO before journey and produce evidence (ticket numbers, PNR, receipts).
📝Leave Sanctioning Authority shall obtain a self-certification from the employee regarding the proposed LTC journey.
📎A copy of the guidelines for availing LTC shall be provided to the GS when he/she applies for LTC.

8. Catering Charges on Eligible Trains

🍽️Wherever employees opt for catering services while booking tickets for eligible trains for LTC → reimbursement of catering charges shall be allowed.

9. Cancellation Charges — Air Tickets

✅
Both types of cancellation charges shall be reimbursed on the ground of official exigencies only:
- ①Cancellation charges levied by airlines
- ②Cancellation charges levied by the three Authorised Travel Agents (ATAs) for utilisation of their portals/platforms
⚠️Cancellations made less than 24 hours before intended travel → self-declared justification required.
🚫Non-entitled GS (who are not under Special Dispensation Scheme) who travel by air → cancellation charges borne by the GS.

10. Private Transport from Nearest Airport / Railway Station / Bus Terminal to Declared Place of Visit

🚗Where a GS travels on LTC up to the nearest airport / railway station / bus terminal by authorised mode of transport, but undertakes the rest of the journey to the declared place of visit by private transport / own arrangement (personal vehicle or private taxi), the following rules apply:

🚌 Public Transport Available

Reimbursed at the fare admissible for journey by entitled mode of public transport from the nearest airport/railway station/bus terminal to the declared place of visit by shortest direct route.

🚫 No Public Transport Available

Reimbursed as per entitlement for journey on transfer for a maximum of 200 Km (100 Km each side) covered by private/personal transport — based on self-certification from GS. Beyond 200 Km: borne by GS.

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 13 (Private Transport)

🔍 Decision 1 — Clarification on 100 Km Limit & Family

📋The 100 Km limit specified in O.M. dated 09.02.2017 is to be seen from one side. Hence, for the to-and-fro journey, fare reimbursement shall be provided for a total of 200 Km (100 Km each side).
👨‍👩‍👧Where members of a family avail LTC separately and avail private taxi/transport separately → reimbursement as above shall be provided individually to each family member.
📌"Public Transport" for these purposes means: all vehicles including trains and airplanes operated by Tourism Development Corporations (Public Sector), State Transport Corporations, and transport services run by other Government or local bodies.
⚠️Furnishing of false information will attract disciplinary action under CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965.

11. Rule 13 — Consolidated Quick Reference

💡 What's Reimbursable under Rule 13 vs What's Not

✅ Reimbursable

Point-to-point journey fare · Through ticket · Shortest direct route · Sleeper charges (II Class) · Reservation charges (I & II Class) · E-ticketing charges · Service Tax / Cess · Catering charges (opted at booking) · Cancellation charges (official exigency only) · Private transport up to 200 Km when no public transport available (self-certification) · Public transport fare from nearest station to declared place

🚫 NOT Reimbursable

Daily Allowance · Incidental expenses · Local journey expenses · Taxi to railway station / airport (standard cases) · Service charges to travel agents · Private transport beyond 200 Km limit · Longer route fares (only proportionate entitlement) · Private tour package costs · Mileage points

Rule 14 Forfeiture of Claim ⭐ Frequently Asked — Time-Limits Critical

1. Basic Time-Limit for Submission of Claim

💳 No Advance Drawn

Claim shall be submitted within 3 months after completion of the return journey.

Failure to do so → forfeiture of claim.

⚠️ No relaxation permissible.

💰 Advance Drawn

Claim shall be submitted within 1 month of completion of the return journey.

Failure → GS required to refund entire advance forthwith in one lump sum.

🚫 No recovery in instalments entertained.

2. Delegated Powers for Relaxation —

🏛️In supersession of earlier O.M. dated 27.09.2007, Ministries/Departments and attached/subordinate offices can now admit belated LTC claims without reference to DoPT, subject to the conditions below:

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 14 (Relaxation of Time-Limits)

📋 Decision 1 — Relaxed Time-Limits

✅No advance drawn: Claim admissible up to 6 months from date of completion of return journey.
✅
Advance drawn: Claim admissible up to 3 months from completion of return journey — provided:
- ①GS refunds the entire advance amount (not merely the unutilised portion) within 3 months of completion of return journey; AND
- ②Interest is charged on the entire advance amount from date of drawal to date of recovery.

🏢
Competent Authority:
- ▸Ministry/Department directly: Financial Adviser's concurrence.
- ▸Attached / subordinate offices: Financial Adviser's concurrence + Head of Department not below the rank of Joint Secretary.

Rule 15 Grant of Advance and Adjustment Thereof — including Leave Encashment

1. Quantum of Advance

💰Amount of advance in each case shall be limited to four-fifths (4/5th = 80%) of the estimated amount which Government would reimburse for the cost of journey both ways.
👨‍👩‍👧If family travels separately from the GS → advance may be drawn separately to the extent admissible.

2. Advance for Forward + Return Journey — Key Condition

✅Advance may be drawn for both forward and return journeys at the time of commencement of the forward journey — provided the period of leave / anticipated absence does not exceed 3 months (90 days).
⚠️If this limit is exceeded → advance may be drawn for the outward journey only.
🚨If the 3-month limit is exceeded after the advance had already been drawn for both journeys → one half of the advance should be refunded to Government forthwith.

3. Refund if Journey Not Commenced — 30-Day Rule

🚫Advance should be refunded in full if the outward journey is not commenced within 30 days of the grant of advance.

4. Time-Limit for Drawing Advance — ARP Based

🚂 Journey by Train

Advance may be drawn up to 125 days (4 months 5 days) before the proposed date of outward journey.

Reason: Railways' Advance Reservation Period (ARP) is 120 days (w.e.f. 01.04.2015).

✈️🚌 Air / Sea / Road

Advance may be drawn up to 65 days before the proposed date of outward journey.

⚠️ Mandatory Ticket Production

🎫In all cases where advance is drawn → GS must produce outward journey tickets to the Competent Authority within 10 days of drawal of advance to verify actual utilisation.
📋Where reservations can be made 60 days before the proposed date → tickets must be produced within 10 days of drawal of advance, irrespective of date of commencement.

5. Claim Submission When Advance Drawn

📅Claim for reimbursement shall be submitted within 1 month of completion of return journey.
🚫Failure → GS required to refund entire advance forthwith in one lump sum. No recovery in instalments shall be entertained.

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 15 (Advance)

📋 Decision 1 — Relaxed Time-Limits for Claim Submission

✅No advance drawn: Ministry/Dept (FA concurrence) + HoD (not below JS) for subordinate offices can admit claim up to 6 months.
✅Advance drawn: Admissible up to 3 months provided entire advance refunded within 3 months with interest from date of drawal to recovery, in one lump sum.

🎫 Decision 2 — Ticket Production within 10 Days

📋GS must produce outward journey tickets to Competent Authority within 10 days of drawal of advance in order to verify actual utilisation of the advance amount for purchasing tickets.

⏳ Decision 3 — 6-Month Limit for Return Journey by Family: Relaxation by HoD

📋The return journey by the family of a GS must normally be completed within 6 months from the date of commencement of the outward journey for entitlement to LTC.
✅Power to relax this 6-month condition delegated to Heads of Departments in special cases at their discretion.

💡 Rule 15 — Advance: Critical Numbers at a Glance

4️⃣Advance = 4/5th (80%) of estimated reimbursement (both ways)
3️⃣Both-way advance → only if leave/absence ≤ 3 months (90 days)
🔢Advance for both ways but limit exceeded → refund half forthwith
3️⃣Outward journey not started within 30 days → refund full advance
🚂Time-limit to draw advance: 125 days (train) / 65 days (air/road/sea)
1️⃣Claim after advance → within 1 month of return; else refund entire advance in one lump sum
🎫Tickets to be produced within 10 days of drawal of advance

6. Leave Encashment along with LTC

📌 Basic Entitlement

📅GS governed by CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 and entitled to LTC may encash Earned Leave up to 10 days at the time of availing both types of LTC — Home Town LTC and Any Place in India LTC.
🔢Maximum leave encashable: 60 days during the entire career. Leave encashed along with LTC shall NOT be deducted from the maximum leave encashable at retirement.
✅No linkage to the number of days or the nature of leave availed while proceeding on LTC.

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 15 (Leave Encashment)

📋 Decision 1 — Same LTC Availed Separately by GS & Family: One Encashment Only

⚠️When the one and the same LTC is availed of by the GS and his family members separately in a block year → encashment of leave is restricted to one occasion only.

👫 Decision 2 — Both Spouses are Government Servants

✅Where both husband and wife are Government servants → entitlement for LTC remains unchanged.
✅Encashment of leave equal to 10 days at the time of availing LTC continues to be available to both — subject to a maximum of 60 days each during the career.

🏢 Decision 3 — CG Employees Using Spouse's PSU / Railway LTC

✅CG employees who (i) are entitled to LTC but opt for their spouse's PSU/Corporation/Autonomous Body LTC; or (ii) are otherwise not entitled to LTC on account of spouse being in Indian Railways / National Airlines with privilege passes/concessional tickets → both are entitled to leave encashment while availing the spouse's LTC facility.

🔄 Decision 4 — Re-employed Pensioner

✅Re-employed pensioner entitled to encashment of EL along with LTC during the period of re-employment — up to the limit of 60 days in accordance with Rule 38-A of CCS(Leave) Rules — including days encashed along with LTC while in service — provided he is entitled to LTC.

🚗 Decision 5 — GS Foregoes Fare Claim / 'Nil' Claim: Leave Encashment Still Allowed

✅In cases where GS decides to forgo his claim of reimbursement for travel undertaken on private/hired vehicle or his claim is 'Nil' → leave encashment is still allowed, provided:

①GS intimates the Department of his intention to avail LTC in advance and gets leave sanctioned as per prescribed procedure before the journey.
②GS has submitted a request for leave encashment before commencement of journey.
③GS gives a self-declaration that he has actually travelled to the declared place of visit and is not claiming fare reimbursement.

⚠️ Exception — Leave Encashment NOT Denied

📋
Government employees are not required to forgo the fare-reimbursement for LTC in the following cases:
- ▸Journey on LTC is made by taxi/auto-rickshaw etc. only between places not connected by rail and operating on a regular basis point-to-point with approval of State Govt./transport authorities as public carriers.
- ▸GS travels on LTC up to nearest airport/railway station/bus terminal and undertakes rest of journey by private transport up to 200 Km (100 Km each side) — as per extant instructions.
- ▸HoD allows use of own/hired taxi on account of disability of GS or dependent family member as per extant instructions.

🚂 Decision 6 — Spouse of Railway Employee

✅The spouse of a Government employee working in Railways may be allowed to avail encashment of leave up to 10 days on the All India LTC availed by the Government employee.

💡 Leave Encashment — Key Numbers at a Glance

🔟Encashment = up to 10 days Earned Leave per LTC occasion
6️⃣Career-maximum = 60 days (this 60 days is separate from retirement encashment limit)
1️⃣Same LTC availed by GS & family separately = one encashment only
👫Both GS spouses = 10 days each, max 60 days each in career
✅'Nil' fare claim / forgo fare = encashment still allowed with self-declaration
🚂Railway spouse = encashment on AI LTC of GS allowed

Rule 16 Fraudulent Claim of Leave Travel Concession

1. Stage I — Pendency of Disciplinary Proceedings

⚖️If a Disciplinary Authority decides to initiate disciplinary proceedings on the charge of preferring a fraudulent LTC claim → GS shall not be allowed LTC till the finalization of such proceedings.

2. Stage II — After Penalty is Imposed

🚫If proceedings result in imposition of any penalty under Rule 11 of CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965 → GS shall not be allowed the next two sets of LTC in addition to the sets already withheld during pendency of proceedings.
⬆️The Controlling Authority may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, disallow more than two sets of LTC.

3. Stage III — Full Exoneration

✅If GS is fully exonerated of the charge → he shall be allowed to avail the withheld concession as additional sets in future block years — but before the normal date of superannuation.

📌 Explanation — What Constitutes "Two Sets"

🏠Set 1: LTC to Hometown [Rule 8(a)]
🗺️Set 2: LTC to Any Place in India [Rule 8(b)]
💡Both together = two sets for the purpose of Rule 16.

⚖️ DA initiates proceedings

LTC withheld during pendency → no LTC till finalization.

🔴 Penalty imposed

Next 2 sets withheld additionally. CA may withhold more for reasons in writing.

✅ Fully exonerated

Withheld sets restored as additional sets in future blocks before superannuation.

4. Genuineness of LTC Claim — General Principles

Govt. of India Decisions — Rule 16

📋 Decision 1 — Genuineness of Claim: CO's Role (O.M. 06.03.1981)

✅CO may relax minor requirements such as production of cash receipts, serial numbers of tickets etc. — if otherwise satisfied about the genuineness of the claim.
📋LTC bill sent to Accounts Officer/authority for payment must be accompanied by evidence produced by the GS in support of his claim.
🔍Where CO grants any relaxation → a certificate to that effect indicating the nature of relaxation should also be endorsed on the claim.
🚂Since Railways discontinued issuing money receipts for journey ticket purchases → GS should produce the railway ticket within 10 days of drawal of advance. Where no advance is drawn → ticket numbers in the claim are sufficient.
🔍CO may satisfy itself by verifying the claim with reference to the evidence actually produced. If CO has reason to doubt the genuineness, it can ask GS to produce such other evidence as may be considered necessary. If still not satisfied → CO is entitled to reject the claim.
📝GS has to certify that the journey was performed by the class of accommodation / mode of conveyance for which the claim is made. If this certificate is found to be false → GS can be proceeded against departmentally. A field enquiry by CO may also be made wherever necessary.

🖥️ Decision 2 — PNR Number Made Mandatory (Computerised Booking)

📋Following introduction of the computerised booking system by Ministry of Railways, Indian Railways expressed inconvenience in furnishing verification certificates on the basis of Ticket No. alone.
✅It has therefore been decided that all Government servants shall indicate the PNR Number in their LTC claims in addition to the ticket number.

Rule 17 Interpretation

❓If there is any doubt regarding any provision in these rules → the matter shall be referred to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
✅DoPT shall decide the matter.

Rule 18 Power to Relax

1. When Relaxation Can Be Granted

🔓Where any Ministry or Department of the Government is satisfied that the operation of any rule causes undue hardship in any particular case → it may, by order, for reasons to be recorded in writing, dispense with or relax the requirements of that rule.
✅Relaxation may be to such extent and subject to such exceptions and conditions as may be considered necessary for dealing with the case in a just and equitable manner.

⚠️ Mandatory Proviso: No relaxation order shall be made except with the concurrence of DoPT. DoPT concurrence is a sine qua non for any Rule 18 relaxation.

💡 Key Exam Points

1️⃣Relaxing authority = Ministry/Department (not HoD, not CO)
2️⃣Condition = undue hardship in the particular case
3️⃣Reasons must be recorded in writing
4️⃣Mandatory concurrence of DoPT — no exception
5️⃣Rule 18 is a residual power — "Save as otherwise provided in these rules"

Rule 19 Saving

📜All existing instructions which are not contrary to any provision of these rules → shall continue in force.
📋All instructions which cover matters not specifically covered by these rules → shall also continue in force.
⏳Both categories continue until they are amended, modified or cancelled.