New Delhi: If you have recently joined the Central Government service or are a “Fresh Recruit” within your first eight years of appointment, the LTC Block Year 2026-29 works differently for you. While senior employees are restricted to a 4-year cycle, freshers enjoy a specialized “Golden Rule” that allows for more frequent travel. Understanding this 8-year grace period is essential to maximizing your leave travel benefits.
🌟 THE FRESHER’S ADVANTAGE: Fresh recruits are entitled to travel to their Home Town on three occasions in a block of four years, and to any place in India on the fourth occasion. This cycle repeats for the first two blocks (total 8 years) of your service.
Refer to the specific DoPT Master Circular sections that govern new appointees to ensure your claim is not rejected by the audit team:
*Note: Your 8-year period starts from the actual date of joining regular service.*
1. The 8-Year LTC Cycle Table
As a fresh recruit, your travel entitlement for each year in your first 8 years of service follows this pattern:
| Year of Service | 1st Block (Year 1-4) | 2nd Block (Year 5-8) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Home Town | Home Town |
| Year 2 | Home Town | Home Town |
| Year 3 | Home Town | Home Town |
| Year 4 | All India (Anywhere) | All India (Anywhere) |
2. Air Travel & Special Dispensation
Even if you are in Pay Level 1 to 5 (not normally entitled to fly), you can still take advantage of the Special Dispensation Scheme. This allows you to convert one of your “Home Town” LTCs into an “Anywhere in India” LTC specifically to visit J&K, Ladakh, NER, or Andaman by Air. Ensure you follow the LTC Advance Rules to avoid penalties.
3. Key Eligibility: What Counts as “Fresh”?
The 8-year period is calculated from the date of your initial appointment in a civil post. If you transferred from one department to another, your “freshness” continues if there was no break in service. However, if you are an ex-serviceman re-employed in a civil post, you may not be considered a “Fresh Recruit” depending on your previous pensionable service.
4. Internal Linking: Future-Proof Your Pay
While planning your first big LTC trip, keep an eye on your 8th Pay Commission Arrears. For new joinees, these arrears will provide a significant financial boost by the time you reach your 4th-year “All India” trip. Also, ensure you have claimed your New Dress Allowance if you are in a uniformed role.
🆕 NEW JOINEE SPECIAL!