New Delhi: It is a common fear among Central Government employees: “What if I book my LTC tickets and then my leave is cancelled by the office?” Under the latest DoPT guidelines for 2026, you don’t have to bear the financial burden of ticket cancellation. If the journey is cancelled due to Official Exigencies or unavoidable personal circumstances, the cancellation charges levied by Airlines and Railways are fully reimbursable.
🚨 REIMBURSEMENT ALERT: As per DoPT OM dated 10.08.2023 (reiterated for 2026), cancellation charges levied by both the Airlines and the three Authorized Travel Agents (IRCTC, Balmer Lawrie, Ashok Travels) shall be reimbursed if the cancellation is on official grounds. You do not lose a single rupee!
Refer to these official orders to submit your “Cancellation Reimbursement Claim” without audit objections:
Note: Ensure you have a written ‘Leave Cancellation Order’ from your Head of Office (HOO).
1. When Can You Claim Cancellation Charges?
Reimbursement is not automatic for every change of plan. You must satisfy one of the following criteria:
- Official Cancellation: Your leave was sanctioned, but later cancelled by the department due to work pressure.
- Official Duty: You were called back from leave for urgent duty.
- Unavoidable Circumstances: Natural disasters, flight/train cancellations by the carrier, or medical emergencies (subject to approval by the Head of Department).
2. The “24-Hour” Self-Justification Rule
According to the Office Order dated 12.01.2025, if you cancel a flight ticket less than 24 hours before the journey, you must submit a Self-Declared Justification. While the three ATAs (Authorized Travel Agents) have been directed to provide zero/nil cancellation charges where possible, any fee actually deducted will be reimbursed if the reason is beyond your control.
| Ticket Type | Condition for Refund | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Air Tickets | Booked via ATA + Official Work | Full Reimbursement |
| Railway Tickets | Confirmed/RAC + Leave Cancelled | Full Reimbursement |
| Non-Entitled Air | Converted from Rail | NO REIMBURSEMENT* |
3. Internal Linking: Protect Your Payout
Frequent cancellations can lead to the LTC Advance Recovery Penalty. If you have taken an advance, refund the remaining amount immediately after cancellation to avoid the 9.1% interest charge. Also, check if you are eligible for the 10-day Leave Encashment for your next successful trip.
4. How to Submit the Claim?
To get your money back, submit the following to your DDO:
- Copy of Cancelled Tickets: Showing the “Cancellation Fee” deducted.
- Leave Cancellation Order: Signed by your Competent Authority.
- Contingent Bill: For reimbursement of the specific cancellation amount.
💸 GET YOUR MONEY BACK!
