Travel Allowance (TA) and Daily Allowance (DA) reimbursement is one of the most used (and most confusing) entitlements for government employees. Whether you're traveling for an official tour, attending training, or getting transferred, the rules determine your travel class, hotel entitlement, and per-day allowance.
Here's the complete guide under 7th CPC rules.
Travel Entitlement by Pay Level
Air Travel
| Pay Level | Entitlement |
|---|
| Level 14 and above | Business class |
| Level 12–13 | Economy class |
| Level 6–11 | Economy class (for distances > 500 km or with prior approval) |
| Level 1–5 | Not entitled to air travel (except in special circumstances) |
Train Travel
| Pay Level | Entitlement |
|---|
| Level 14+ | AC First Class |
| Level 12–13 | AC First Class |
| Level 9–11 | AC 2-Tier |
| Level 6–8 | AC 2-Tier (or AC 3-Tier + DA difference) |
| Level 5 | AC 3-Tier |
| Level 3–4 | AC 3-Tier |
| Level 1–2 | Sleeper Class |
Road Travel
| Pay Level | Entitlement |
|---|
| Level 14+ | Taxi / own car (mileage @ ₹16/km for car, ₹8/km for scooter) |
| Level 6–13 | AC bus or taxi with prior approval |
| Level 1–5 | Ordinary bus or AC bus where no ordinary bus available |
Daily Allowance (DA for Tour)
Daily Allowance is paid for each day of official tour outside headquarters:
Hotel Accommodation Ceiling
| Pay Level | Metro Cities (Delhi, Mumbai, etc.) | A-1 / A Cities | Other Cities |
|---|
| Level 14+ | ₹7,500/day | ₹4,500/day | ₹3,000/day |
| Level 12–13 | ₹7,500/day | ₹4,500/day | ₹3,000/day |
| Level 9–11 | ₹4,500/day | ₹2,250/day | ₹1,500/day |
| Level 6–8 | ₹3,000/day | ₹1,500/day | ₹1,000/day |
| Level 3–5 | ₹1,500/day | ₹750/day | ₹500/day |
| Level 1–2 | ₹1,000/day | ₹500/day | ₹350/day |
Per Diem (Food & Incidentals)
| Pay Level | Per Day Amount |
|---|
| Level 14+ | ₹1,200/day |
| Level 12–13 | ₹1,000/day |
| Level 9–11 | ₹800/day |
| Level 6–8 | ₹500/day |
| Level 3–5 | ₹350/day |
| Level 1–2 | ₹250/day |
If hotel is not taken (staying with relatives/friends): You still get the per diem amount. Hotel reimbursement requires actual bills.
Transfer TA (When Transferred to a New Station)
| Component | Entitlement |
|---|
| Self travel | As per travel entitlement (train/air/road) |
| Family travel | Same class as self for spouse and children |
| Personal effects | ₹50,000–₹1,00,000 (based on pay level) for transportation |
| Packing/unpacking | Actual charges or lump sum |
| Transfer grant | 1 month's basic pay (if transfer involves change of station) |
| Composite transfer grant | Basic pay amount × 80% (for personal effects + incidentals) |
Joining Time
| Distance | Joining Time Allowed |
|---|
| Up to 1,000 km | 10 days |
| 1,001–2,000 km | 12 days |
| Above 2,000 km | 15 days |
| Including travel time | Actual travel time + above days |
LTC (Leave Travel Concession)
| Type | Frequency | Entitlement |
|---|
| Hometown LTC | Once every 2 years | Fare for self + family to hometown |
| All India LTC | Once every 4 years (in lieu of one hometown LTC) | Fare to any place in India |
LTC Travel Entitlement
| Pay Level | Air | Train |
|---|
| Level 9+ | Economy class (any destination) | AC 2-Tier |
| Level 6–8 | Economy (for travel to NE, J&K, A&N only) | AC 2-Tier |
| Level 1–5 | Not entitled | AC 3-Tier / Sleeper (as per grade) |
LTC cash voucher scheme: Periodically, the government allows employees to encash LTC without actual travel — typically during festival seasons. The employee must spend 3× the fare entitlement on GST-billed goods to claim the LTC amount as reimbursement.
Common TA/DA Scenarios
Scenario 1: Official Tour to Another City
Level 7 officer traveling from Delhi to Mumbai for 3 days:
- Air fare (economy): Actual (reimbursed)
- Hotel: Up to ₹3,000/day × 3 = ₹9,000 (bills required)
- Per diem: ₹500/day × 3 = ₹1,500
- Local conveyance: ₹200/day × 3 = ₹600
- Total claim: Air fare + ₹11,100
Scenario 2: Transfer from Delhi to Bengaluru
Level 10 officer with spouse and 2 children:
- Self: AC 2-Tier fare Delhi-Bengaluru
- Family: 3 × AC 2-Tier fare
- Personal effects: Up to ₹75,000 (actuals)
- Transfer grant: 1 month basic pay
- Composite transfer grant: 80% of basic
- Joining time: 12 days with pay
Is TA/DA taxable?
TA/DA for official tours is not taxable as long as it's within government-prescribed limits and actual bills are produced. Any amount received beyond actual expenditure is technically taxable, though enforcement varies.
Can I claim TA/DA for training programs?
Yes. For official training/deputation, full TA/DA is admissible as per your entitlement. For the duration of training, you receive daily allowance at the station where training is held.
What if I travel by a higher class than my entitlement?
You'll be reimbursed only for the class you're entitled to. If you're entitled to AC 3-Tier but travel AC 2-Tier, you get reimbursed the AC 3-Tier fare. Exception: if lower class was genuinely not available (with proof of non-availability), higher class can be approved.
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