LTC travel entitlement by pay level
Your pay level in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix decides the class of travel the Government will reimburse on LTC. The LTC entitlement follows your official tour (TA) entitlement, with one important exception for Levels 6 to 8.
Entitlement table (7th CPC)
| Pay level | By air | By train |
|---|---|---|
| 14 and above | Business / Club class | AC First Class |
| 12 and 13 | Economy class | AC First Class |
| 9 to 11 | Economy class | AC 2-tier |
| 6 to 8 | Not entitled on LTC* | AC 2-tier |
| 5 and below | Not entitled | First Class / AC 3-tier / AC Chair Car |
*Levels 6–8 may fly on official tours, but DoPT has clarified that this air entitlement does not extend to LTC. Source: DoPT OM No. 31011/8/2017-Estt.A-IV dated 19.09.2017.
If a seat is not available in your entitled class, you may travel in the class just below it.
Premium trains: Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar
Since DoPT's OM dated 14 January 2025, travel by Tejas Express, Vande Bharat Express and Humsafar Express is allowed on LTC, in addition to Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains — always as per your entitlement:
| Pay level | Shatabdi-type trains | Rajdhani-type trains |
|---|---|---|
| 12 and above | Executive Class | AC First Class |
| 6 to 11 | Chair Car | AC 2-tier |
For Level 5 and below, refer to the DoPT OM dated 14.01.2025 and your office.
Rules for air travel on LTC
- Air tickets must be bought only through the three authorised travel agents — Balmer Lawrie & Co., Ashok Travels & Tours, and IRCTC. How to book
- Reimbursement is subject to the fare ceiling and conditions in the DoPT orders in force at the time of travel.
- If you are not entitled to fly but choose to fly between places connected by rail, reimbursement is limited to your entitled rail fare.
- Employees at any level can fly to NER, J&K, Ladakh and A&N under the special dispensation scheme.
Official sources
- DoPT OM No. 31011/8/2017-Estt.A-IV dated 19.09.2017 — LTC entitlements after the 7th CPC
- DoPT OM No. 31011/3/2022-PP.A-IV dated 14.01.2025 — Tejas, Vande Bharat and Humsafar trains
Office Memorandums are published on the DoPT website. Where your department has issued its own instructions, those apply.
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