If you've been in the habit of booking your LTC flight tickets a week before you travel, DoPT just sent out a fresh reminder that could hit your wallet — and possibly your claim. A circular dated 16 July 2026 tells all officers and officials to go back to booking air tickets at least 21 days before travel, and to file LTC advance applications at least 30 days in advance.
This isn't a new rule. It's DoPT re-enforcing an instruction that's technically been on the books since 2022 — because a lot of people quietly stopped following it.
What the Circular Actually Says
The order, issued by the Cash Section of DoPT under file number G-14019/02/2026-Cash, points back to an existing Office Memorandum — No. 31011/12/2022-Estt.A.IV, dated 29 August 2022 — which already laid out the consolidated rules for booking LTC air tickets.
That 2022 OM said employees should book flights at least 21 days before their intended travel date, specifically to lock in better fares and keep the burden on the government's exchequer down. The new July 2026 circular exists because that advice wasn't being followed.
Why DoPT Sent This Out Again
Here's the part that actually triggered this reminder. During routine scrutiny of LTC claims, DoPT found a pattern — a good number of employees were booking their air tickets only a few days before travel, and in some cases, literally the same week they were flying out.
Booking that close to the travel date almost always means paying a much higher fare. And since LTC reimbursement ultimately comes out of government funds, that habit runs directly against the whole point of the 21-day rule in the first place.
The Two Numbers You Actually Need to Remember
This circular really comes down to two timelines, and they're easy to mix up if you only skim it:
- 21 days before travel — the deadline for booking your actual air ticket
- 30 days before travel — the deadline for submitting your LTC advance application, if you're applying for one
If you're claiming an LTC advance, you'll also need to attach a printout of the travel agency's webpage showing the flight and fare details you're planning to book. Miss that, and your advance application isn't complete.
What This Means If You're Planning LTC Travel
If you've got LTC travel coming up, the practical takeaway is simple — don't wait until the last two weeks to sort out your booking. Start checking flights and fares at least a month out, especially if you know you'll need an advance.
A few things worth doing once you know your travel dates:
- Start comparing fares through your authorized travel agency early, not the week before
- If you need an LTC advance, submit the application at least 30 days ahead with the fare printout attached
- Book the actual ticket by the 21-day mark, even if you're not taking an advance
- Keep a copy of everything — the fare printout, the booking confirmation, the advance application — for your claim file
Why This Actually Matters for Your Claim
This isn't just about being a good employee and following instructions. Booking late and paying a higher fare than a compliant early booking would have cost can actually invite questions during claim scrutiny — exactly the kind of scrutiny that flagged this pattern in the first place. Sticking to the 21-day and 30-day windows keeps your claim clean and avoids any back-and-forth with your Cash Section over why the fare was higher than it needed to be.
Bottom Line
Nothing about LTC eligibility or entitlement has changed here — this is purely about timing. Book your air ticket at least 21 days before you travel, get your LTC advance application in at least 30 days out if you need one, and you're fully compliant with what DoPT has now reminded everyone about twice.