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CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988: Air Travel Relaxation for NER, J&K, Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar Extended up to 25 September 2028
The Government of India has extended the special dispensation allowing Central Government employees to travel by air under the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme to the North East Region (NER), Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Union Territory of Ladakh and Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The extension has been granted for another two years beyond 25 September 2026, thereby continuing the facility from 26 September 2026 to 25 September 2028.
The decision has been communicated by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, through Office Memorandum F.No. 31011/15/2022-Estt-A-IV dated 9 September 2026. The order continues an important special dispensation under the Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988, particularly benefiting employees who wish to visit geographically distant and strategically important regions of the country. (Department of Personnel and Training)
Extension of the Special LTC Air Travel Facility
The special air-travel relaxation was earlier extended up to 25 September 2026. With the latest decision, the facility will now remain available for an additional two-year period, beginning 26 September 2026 and continuing up to 25 September 2028.
The purpose of this special arrangement is not merely to facilitate convenient travel. It also encourages Central Government employees and their families to visit different parts of India, particularly regions that are geographically distant from major administrative centres. The scheme therefore combines employee welfare with the broader objective of promoting national integration and greater awareness of India’s diverse regions.
The latest DoPT order confirms that the special dispensation continues under the CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988. (CGE News – 8th Pay Commission)
Which Regions Are Covered?
The extended facility covers four important geographical areas:
- North East Region (NER)
- Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir
- Union Territory of Ladakh
- Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Eligible Government servants can use the special LTC provision to travel to places within these regions, subject to the conditions prescribed by the Government.
The North Eastern Region has particular importance under the LTC scheme because of its distance from many Central Government offices and major cities. Similarly, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have distinctive geographical and transportation challenges. The air-travel relaxation makes these destinations more accessible to eligible employees.
Conversion of Home Town LTC
One of the major features of the special dispensation is the facility to convert one Home Town LTC into an LTC journey to the NER, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jammu & Kashmir or Ladakh during a four-year block period.
This means that an eligible Government servant can use the permitted conversion facility to visit one of these special regions instead of availing the corresponding Home Town LTC, subject to the applicable rules.
However, employees whose Home Town and Headquarters or place of posting are the same are not eligible to convert a Home Town LTC under this provision because they are not entitled to the Home Town LTC facility itself. (CGE News – 8th Pay Commission)
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Special Provision for Employees Whose Home Town Is in These Regions
The Government has also retained an important provision for employees whose Home Town itself falls in the NER, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh or Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Such employees can also avail the conversion facility to visit a place in one of the other three covered regions, excluding the region where their Home Town is situated. This provision prevents the special dispensation from becoming merely a means of travelling to an employee’s own Home Town.
The arrangement consequently provides an opportunity for employees from these regions to explore other parts of the specially covered areas.
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Benefits for Fresh Recruits
Freshly recruited Central Government employees are also covered by the special dispensation, subject to the conditions applicable to them.
The order provides that fresh recruits may convert one of their three Home Town LTCs available in a four-year block for visiting the NER, Andaman & Nicobar Islands or Jammu & Kashmir/Ladakh under the specified provisions.
In addition, fresh recruits are allowed one further conversion of Home Town LTC for visiting the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir or the Union Territory of Ladakh during a four-year block, as provided under the scheme. (CGE News – 8th Pay Commission)
Air Travel for Employees Already Entitled to Fly
Government employees who are otherwise entitled to travel by air under the applicable LTC provisions can avail the special concession from their Headquarters in their entitled class of air travel.
The journey can be undertaken by any airline, subject to the applicable Government instructions concerning booking, fare, advance, reimbursement and other procedural requirements.
The DoPT has specifically linked the special dispensation with its earlier instructions on booking air tickets for LTC, including the instructions issued on 29 August 2022 and the subsequent modifications issued on 20 October 2023.ย
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Air Travel for Employees Not Normally Entitled to Air Travel
Perhaps the most significant aspect of the special dispensation is that Government employees who are not normally entitled to travel by air may also travel by air in Economy Class for specified sectors under the scheme.
The permitted sectors include:
Kolkata/Guwahati to any place in the North East Region, Kolkata/Chennai/Visakhapatnam to Port Blair, and Delhi/Amritsar to any place in Jammu & Kashmir or Ladakh.
For the portion of the journey from the employee’s Headquarters to Kolkata, Guwahati, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Delhi or Amritsar, the employee must travel according to their normal entitlement. (S3WaaS)
The rules also permit non-air-entitled employees to travel directly by air from their Headquarters to destinations in the covered regions, subject to the prescribed reimbursement conditions.
Air Ticket Booking Requirements
Employees should pay particular attention to the Government’s air-ticket booking instructions before undertaking an LTC journey.
Under the applicable instructions, LTC air tickets are to be booked through the authorised travel agents specified by the Government. These include Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited, Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC. Employees are required to follow the prescribed procedure regarding the best available fare and applicable booking conditions.ย
The Government has also emphasised economical travel. Employees are encouraged to select the best available fare in their entitled class and, where feasible, make advance bookings to obtain competitive fares and reduce expenditure from the public exchequer.
The subsequent 2023 modifications also provided greater convenience in establishing that the booking made through the authorised travel agents corresponds to the prescribed fare requirements.ย
Importance of the Extension
The extension up to 25 September 2028 provides continuity and certainty for Central Government employees planning LTC journeys to these regions. It is especially relevant to employees posted in distant parts of the country who may otherwise find travel to the North East, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir or the Andaman & Nicobar Islands expensive or time-consuming.
Beyond the employee-welfare aspect, the scheme has a wider national objective. Travel by Government employees and their families can promote awareness of India’s cultural, geographical and social diversity. It can also contribute to stronger national integration by encouraging citizens to experience different regions of the country.
Employees Should Follow the Rules Carefully
Although the special dispensation offers considerable flexibility, it does not remove the procedural requirements associated with LTC. Employees should obtain the necessary sanction, follow the applicable LTC rules, use authorised booking channels wherever required, maintain appropriate travel documents and submit claims within the prescribed framework.
The Government has specifically warned that misuse of LTC will be viewed seriously. Ministries and Departments have also been advised to undertake random verification of air tickets submitted by employees to ensure that the actual airfare corresponds with the amount claimed. (CGE News – 8th Pay Commission)
Conclusion
The extension of the special air-travel relaxation under the Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 is an important benefit for eligible Central Government employees. With the latest DoPT decision, the special dispensation for air travel to the North East Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands will continue from 26 September 2026 until 25 September 2028.
Employees planning to utilise the facility should carefully study the latest DoPT instructions and applicable LTC provisions before booking their journey. The extension not only provides greater travel convenience but also supports the broader objective of encouraging Central Government employees to experience and connect with different parts of India.
Official source: The Department of Personnel & Training has published the extension order dated 9 September 2026 on its official website. (Department of Personnel and Training)
Website Note: This article is intended for general informational purposes. Employees should always refer to the latest official DoPT Office Memorandum, CCS (LTC) Rules and instructions issued by their respective Ministry/Department before making an LTC claim.
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Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article on the extension of air-travel relaxation under the Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988, is intended for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to present the information accurately, rules, conditions, dates and Government instructions may be amended from time to time. Readers are advised to verify the latest Office Memorandum and official instructions issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) before making any LTC claim or travel arrangement. This website is not affiliated with or officially associated with the Government of India or DoPT, and shall not be responsible for any loss arising from reliance on the information published herein.
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