LTC advance, booking and claim: step by step

Missing a deadline is the most common reason LTC claims get delayed or recovered. Here is the full process in order, with the time limits that matter.

1. Apply and inform your office

   Apply for leave and LTC to your controlling officer before the journey. For Anywhere in India LTC, declare the place you intend to visit in advance. Mention whether you also want leave encashment.

2. Draw an advance (optional)

   • You can take up to 90% of the estimated admissible fare for the onward and return journeys.
   • If you or your family will be away for more than 90 days, the advance covers the outward journey only.
   • Timing: up to 125 days before the journey if travelling by train; up to 65 days before for air, road or sea.
   • You must produce the tickets within 10 days of drawing the advance. If you don't, or the trip is cancelled, the advance has to be refunded in one go.

3. Book your tickets

   Air tickets must be bought only from the three authorised travel agents (ATAs):

   • Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd — govemp.balmerlawrietravelapp.com
   • Ashok Travels & Tours — attitdc.in
   • IRCTC Air — air.irctc.co.in

   Tickets booked on other travel websites are not admissible for LTC. The ATAs mark tickets as "LTC" and display flight fare details; booking on their portals is itself accepted as proof of the fare. Keep your booking confirmation and boarding passes anyway.

   Train tickets can be booked normally through IRCTC. Keep the PNR and ticket numbers.

4. Travel

   Travel by the shortest direct route in your entitled class. Your family members can travel separately from you, within the same block.

5. Submit your claim on time

   Your situation	Submit claim within
   Advance taken	1 month of completing the return journey
   No advance taken	3 months of completing the return journey

   If you took an advance and miss the deadline, the whole advance can be recovered in one lump sum with penal interest. Departments have limited power to admit late claims in some cases; ask your office immediately if you are running late.

Leave encashment with LTC

• You can encash 10 days of earned leave each time you avail LTC, up to 60 days in your whole career.
• After deducting the leave you take plus the leave you encash, at least 30 days of earned leave must remain to your credit.
• Leave encashed with LTC is not deducted from the maximum you can encash at retirement.
• If both spouses are Government employees, each can encash, subject to 60 days each.

The encashment amount is generally calculated as pay plus dearness allowance for 10 days, based on the date you avail LTC. Your accounts office will confirm the exact figure.

Claim checklist

• LTC claim form / bill in your department's format
• Air tickets from an authorised agent, boarding passes
• Train ticket numbers and PNRs
• Details of the advance drawn, if any
• Names and relationship of family members who travelled
• Leave sanction order and encashment application, if applicable

Official sources

• CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988 — Rules 14 and 15 (claims and advance)
• DoPT OM No. 31011/12/2022-Estt.A-IV dated 29.08.2022 and later modifications — booking of air tickets through authorised travel agents
• DoPT OM No. 31011/3/2015-Estt.A-IV dated 21.12.2023 — powers to admit delayed claims

Office Memorandums are published on the DoPT website. Where your department has issued its own instructions, those apply.

Last updated: 10 November 2026