Family – Definition under CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988 – FAQ, clarifications/ modifications in the LTC instructions: DoPT O.M.

FAQ (A) FAMILY issued vide DoP&T, GoI O.M. F.No.31011/07/2025 PP.A-IV dated 01.07.2025

S. No.

Questions

Answers

(A) FAMILY

Definition of Family for the purpose of availing LTC facility [as defined in Rule 4(d) of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988]

Relations included in the definition of Family :·

Spouse (Husband & Wife) · Two eldest surviving unmarried children including step children and legally adopted children, and
Divorced / abandoned / separated from husband / widowed daughter(s) wholly dependent and residing with Government employee.
Children exceeding two as a result of second child birth resulting in multiple births (in exceptional case)
Parents and step parents, who are wholly dependent on the Government employee, irrespective of whether they are residing with the Government servant or not.
Siblings (unmarried minor brothers and unmarried/ divorced/ abandoned/ separated/ widowed sisters) residing with and wholly dependent on the Government employee, provided that their parents are either not alive or are themselves wholly dependent on the Government employee.

Relations NOT covered under the definition of Family:·

Parents-in-law.
Children of divorced/ abandoned/ separated/widowed sisters and children of divorced/ abandoned/ separated/ widowed daughters.
Not more than one wife.
Grand parents
Any other not covered under the definition of Family as defined in Rule 4 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988.

2	What is the dependency criterion for the purpose of LTC ?	A member of family whose income from all sources, including pension, temporary increase in pension does not exceed minimum pension (presently Rs. 9000/- per month as per 7th CPC) and Dearness relief (DR) thereon, is deemed to be wholly dependent on the Government employee. Condition of dependency is not applicable to spouse of the government employee. [O.M. No. 31011/4/2008-Estt.(A) dated23.09.2008]
3	Is it compulsory for the wife, parents and children to reside with Government employee to claim LTC ?	No. Spouse (husband and wife are considered as one unit), therefore, the condition of dependency is not relevant. Parents and children should be wholly dependent. (Rule 4 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988)
4	Whether son/daughter of the Government employee, who is above 25 years of age but still unmarried, is eligible for LTC claim ?	Yes, subject to the condition that he/she is unmarried and wholly dependent on the Government employee. (Rule 4 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988)
5	Are the in-laws of a Government Employee eligible to avail LTC ?	No.
6	Are family members allowed to travel separately?	Yes. There is no such restriction. A Government employee and members of his family may travel separately or in different groups at different times to different destinations during a block of two or four years, as the case may be. (Rule 9 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988)
7	Whether some members of the family can avail LTC to ‘home town’ while some others for visiting ‘anywhere in India’ in the same two-year block period?	Yes. (Rule 9 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988)
8	Are spouse and children residing at a place(s) other than Headquarters of the Government employees allowed to avail LTC?	Yes. [O.M. No. 31011/5/2015-Estt.(A-IV), dated31.10.2017]
9	Can the spouse of a government employee, who is working in private sector avail LTA or travel re- imbursement, provided by his/her employer/ organization?	Yes. No such restriction in respect of spouse working in private sector.
10	Is reimbursement allowed in respect of a child aged less than 5 years, who travels by train and opts for a separate seat/ berth ?	No. [O.M. No. 31011/3/2016-Estt. (A-IV), dated 16.05.2018]
11	Whether a government employee who is not eligible for travel by air is entitled for re-imbursement of air- fare in respect of children aged less than 5 years whose full fare is charged by the airlines?	No reimbursement shall be allowed in respect of the air journey performed by children, aged less than 5 years, of the Government servants who are not entitled to travel by air on LTC. However, this provision shall not be applicable for the segments where the air journey has been allowed to the non-entitled Government servants and their families under the Special Dispensation Scheme. [O.M. No. 31011/3/2016-Estt. (A-IV), dated 16.05.2018] The actual rail fare paid by the Government employee for the children aged between 5 years and under 12 years, shall be reimbursed for LTC. [O.M. No. 31011/3/2016-Estt.(A.IV), dated29.04.2016]
12	Can a government employee or his family members avail LTC while he/she is in suspension ?	Government employee under suspension is not allowed to avail LTC. However, his/her family is entitled to avail LTC.