Rule 177A / 177B
Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
The two LTC variants available to Indian Armed Forces officers: Hometown LTC and All India LTC. This page covers eligibility, frequency, family rules, fare caps, and special regional concessions.
Eligibility
Rule 177A — Hometown LTC
Hometown LTC reimburses the officer and eligible family members for a round trip from the duty station to the declared hometown. The hometown is the place declared and verified at the time of commissioning and can be changed only with the approval of the competent authority.
Hometown LTC may be availed once in each block of two calendar years. Unutilised Hometown LTC may be carried forward by one year into the next block subject to conditions.
Eligibility
Rule 177B — All India LTC
All India LTC permits travel to any place in India once in a block of four calendar years, in lieu of one of the two Hometown LTCs in that block. Officers serving in remote and field areas have additional concessions.
Frequency
Alternate-year and same-year restriction
LTC is structured around two- and four-year blocks. Officers must alternate between Hometown and All India LTC and cannot avail both in the same calendar year. Carry-forward into the next block is permitted under defined conditions but the entitlement does not accumulate indefinitely.
Family
Family eligibility
The following family members are eligible to travel under the officer's LTC, subject to the dependency criteria laid down by Government of India:
- Spouse (one).
- Dependent children (legitimate or legally adopted), subject to age limits.
- Dependent parents residing with the officer.
- Dependent unmarried sisters and minor brothers, subject to conditions.
Rates
Fare entitlements
Air economy round-trip fare is reimbursed up to Rs. 25,000 per eligible person. Rail and bus fares are reimbursed at the entitled class for the officer's rank.
Source: AI 11/2017Special regions
NER, J&K, and A&N concessions
Officers serving in or visiting the North-East Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are entitled to additional LTC concessions, including air travel by any private airline subject to the Government's prevailing instructions and the standing fare ceiling.
Procedure
How to file an LTC claim
Claims are filed through the unit adjutant on the prescribed form, supported by tickets, boarding passes, and the leave certificate. The Handbook offers an authenticated LTC wizard that calculates entitlement and fills the form for you.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I avail Hometown LTC and All India LTC in the same calendar year?
No. Hometown LTC under Rule 177A and All India LTC under Rule 177B cannot be availed in the same calendar year. Officers alternate between the two on an alternate-year basis.
Who counts as family for LTC purposes?
Family includes the officer's spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents residing with the officer, subject to the income limits laid down by GoI.
What is the fare cap for air travel under LTC?
Round-trip air economy fare reimbursement is capped at Rs. 25,000 per eligible person, as per AI 11/2017. Higher-class fares are not reimbursable beyond this ceiling.