Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)
Travel, Bonus & Hardship 2026
Part 3: LTC, WRIIL & Location Allowances
Central Govt Benefits 2026 (Part 3): LTC, Bonus & Special Location Allowances
- LTC: New Block 2026-29
- Bonus: PLB & Ad-hoc (₹7,000 Ceiling)
- Safety: WRIIL (Full Pay Leave)
- Location: SDA (NE Region/Ladakh)
Overview: The Final Piece of the Puzzle
We have already covered the Core Salary & Pension in Part 1 and the Hidden Reimbursements in Part 2. Now, Part 3 completes your financial handbook by detailing the “Travel,” “Celebration,” and “Hardship” benefits that serve as the cherry on top.
1. Leave Travel Concession (LTC) Rules 2026
One of the most cherished benefits, LTC allows you to explore India or visit your hometown with family, with the government paying for the tickets.
- Current Block Year: 2026-2029 (Starting fresh Jan 1, 2026).
- Types:
- Home Town LTC: Twice in a 4-year block.
- All India LTC: Once in a 4-year block (can replace one Home Town visit).
- Fresh Recruits (First 8 Years): New employees get LTC every year for the first 8 years (3 Home Town + 1 All India in a 4-year cycle).
- Leave Encashment: You can encash 10 days of Earned Leave (EL) while availing LTC (Max 60 days in entire service).
2. Annual Bonus (The Festival Booster)
Usually announced before Dussehra/Diwali, this is a significant lump sum.
| Type | Eligible Staff | Calculation Ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| PLB (Productivity Linked) | Railways, Defence (Production), Post | ₹7,000 (Days vary: 78 days for Railways) |
| Non-PLB (Ad-hoc) | Central Govt (Civil/Police) | ₹7,000 (Fixed 30 days = ~₹6,908) |
3. Special Location Allowances (SDA/ISDA)
If you are posted in difficult terrains or remote areas, your salary increases automatically.
- Special Duty Allowance (SDA): 10% of Basic Pay for serving in North East Region (NER) and Ladakh.
- Island Special Duty Allowance (ISDA): 10% to 20% of Basic Pay for Andaman & Nicobar or Lakshadweep.
- Hard Area Allowance: For notified tough stations (Rates vary by difficulty).
4. Health Safety: WRIIL
Work-Related Illness and Injury Leave (WRIIL) has replaced the old ‘Hospital Leave’ or ‘Special Disability Leave’.
- Benefit: If you are injured on duty (e.g., a railway trackman hit by a stone, or a police officer injured in a raid), you get Full Pay Leave for the entire period of hospitalization and recovery.
- Limit: No maximum limit; continues until fit for duty or declared permanently disabled.
5. Operational Specific Allowances
- Overtime Allowance (OTA): For operational staff (like Railway Running Staff, Drivers) who work beyond statutory hours.
- Patient Care Allowance (PCA): For Group C & D staff in hospitals (Nurses, Ward Boys) exposed to infection risks.
- Training Allowance: 12% to 24% of Basic Pay for faculty posted in Central Training Institutes (CTIs).
How to Plan Your LTC 2026
“Step-by-Step LTC Plan:
1. Check your Block Year status (New block started Jan 2026).
2. Apply for Leave (EL/CL) at least 15 days in advance.
3. If booking Air Ticket, use ONLY Authorized Travel Agents (Balmer Lawrie, Ashok Travels, IRCTC). **Direct booking from airline websites is BANNED.**
4. Submit ‘Advance Application’ to get 90% fare credited to your account before travel.
5. Submit final bill within 30 days of return.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my Home Town LTC to All India LTC?
Yes. Govt allows conversion of one Home Town LTC batch into ‘All India LTC’ specifically for travel to J&K, North East, Andaman & Nicobar, and Ladakh. This is a special relaxation scheme extended periodically.
Is WRIIL deducted from my Earned Leave?
No. WRIIL is a special category of leave. It is NOT debited from your personal Leave Account (EL/HPL). It is granted over and above your normal entitlements.