Indian Railways is one of the country's central pillars, thanks to its employees who work tirelessly to enable smoother commutes for citizens. In extending its appreciation, the government has shared great news for railway employees. Under the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme, the Indian government will now reimburse travel expenses for railway employees. Until now, this benefit has been limited to selective trains such as Rajdhani and Shatabdi.
However, employees can now also travel with their families on premium trains, such as the Vande Bharat, Tejas, Duronto, and Humsafar Express, under the LTC scheme. Railway unions had been demanding this for years, and the government has finally agreed. This move will enable thousands of employees to enjoy fast and comfortable travel with their loved ones.
Free travel under LTC
From now on, it is certain that the Indian government will reimburse travel expenses for railway employees and their families. Earlier, the scheme applied only to a few premium trains, but now its scope has expanded.
By including modern trains like Vande Bharat and Tejas in the LTC scheme, the government aims to provide faster and more convenient travel options, whether employees are heading home for the holidays or exploring tourist destinations.
Who gets what under the new LTC rules?
Travel classes are based on employee level, and here’s the breakdown:
- Level 12 and above: Executive Chair Car
- Level 6 to 11: AC 2-Tier
- Level 5 and below: AC 3-Tier
For a long time, several railway unions have pushed for LTC benefits to cover modern trains, such as Vande Bharat, Tejas, and Humsafar. With these changes, employees can now travel with their families under LTC on premium trains—beyond just Rajdhani or Shatabdi trains—depending on eligibility and duty pass rules.
The growing popularity of Vande Bharat
Vande Bharat trains are becoming increasingly popular, with around 136 of them now running across India at full capacity. This new LTC update won’t just benefit railway employees—it’ll also help boost tourism in the country.