LTC Travel Benefits: Government Employees Can Use Tejas, Vande Bharat, and Humsafar Services

LTC Travel Benefits: Government Employees Can Use Tejas, Vande Bharat, and Humsafar Services
The central government has allowed government employees to use Tejas, Vande Bharat, and Humsafar trains for Leave Travel Concession (LTC). Now, they can choose from a total of 385 trains, which includes 136 Vande Bharat, 97 Humsafar, and 8 Tejas Express trains. Previously, they had access to 144 high-end trains in the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto series for luxury AC travel. This new decision gives government employees more options for booking LTC travel across the country.
“Government employees across all strata can now avail a world class travel experience in state-of-the-art Vande Bharat, Tejas & Humsafar expresses, while availing their Leave Travel Concession, LTC. With this decision, all the central government employees can now access the services of 241 additional trains while utilizing their Leave Travel Concession (LTC). They can now travel in 136 Vande Bharat, 97 Humsafar and 8 Tejas Express trains.
Government Employees were already availing luxurious AC travel in 144 existing high-end trains in the category of Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duronto series. With this decision, there will be a total 385 trains across all the regions of the country where they are operating in which tickets can be booked for LTC travel by the government employees,” the announcement reads.
Employees at Level 11 and below can use chair car accommodations for short and medium-distance rail journeys on Vande Bharat, Tejas, and Shatabdi express trains. Those at Level 12 and above are eligible for executive chair car seating on these trains.
For long-distance travel on trains with sleeping berths, such as the Rajdhani luxury trains, employees at Level 12 and above can choose AC 2nd class travel. Employees from Level 6 to 11 can also opt for AC 2nd class, while those at Level 5 and below are allowed to travel in AC 3rd class for their LTC journeys.
What is LTC?
Leave Travel Concession (LTC) is a travel benefit that offers discounts to government employees, enabling them to travel anywhere in India within a four-year period. Eligible central government employees can receive reimbursement for round-trip tickets and are entitled to paid leave under the LTC scheme.
According to the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, employees can take advantage of Home Town LTC twice every two years. They can visit their hometown once during this two-year period and travel to any destination in India within another two years. This change comes in response to numerous suggestions from various offices and individuals concerning the inclusion of different premium trains under the LTC scheme.
Discount In Air Travel Too?
It’s not just train travel that receives discounts under LTC; the government has also introduced discounts for air travel. According to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), if employees travel to North-Eastern states, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, or the Andaman and Nicobar Islands until September 25, 2026, they will be eligible for discounts on air travel. However, it’s important to note that these discounts apply only to employees who qualify for air travel.