5 changes for central govt employees in September 2026: From LTC extension to CCS Leave Rules

The month of September 2026 has brought at five big changes for various central government employees, ranging from leave travel concession (LTC), study leave rules, scholarships for canteen employees' children, a new pension disbursement manual, and a 3-day weekend for Delhi-based offices. Here are the five developments.

1. Extension of LTC air travel relaxation for two more years

The Department of Personnel and Training has extended the special scheme allowing central government employees to travel by air to the North East Region, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988, for a further period of two years, from September 26, 2026 to September 25, 2028.

The extension was notified through an Office Memorandum dated September 9, 2026.

Employees can convert one Home Town LTC in a four-year block to visit any of these regions. Those not entitled to air travel can fly in Economy class on specific routes, including Kolkata or Guwahati to any place in the North East, Kolkata, Chennai or Visakhapatnam to Port Blair, and Delhi or Amritsar to any place in J&K or Ladakh.

Fresh recruits get an additional conversion of Home Town LTC to visit J&K or Ladakh in a four-year block.

The OM warns that "any misuse of LTC will be viewed seriously" and directs ministries to randomly verify air tickets from airlines to check actual costs against those claimed.

2. Study Leave scholarship for both domestic and foreign study

The DoPT issued a clarification on September 8, 2026, stating that Rule 56(4) of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972, which requires adjustment of any scholarship, stipend or remuneration earned from part-time employment during study leave against the leave salary payable to the employee, applies to study leave availed both within India and outside India.

The clarification removes the ambiguity that had existed over whether the adjustment applied only to overseas study leave. The order says that the provision "regarding adjustment of the amount received as scholarship/stipend/remuneration in respect of part-time employment against the Leave Salary payable, is applicable to Study Leave availed both within India and outside India".

3. Scholarships for children of departmental canteen employees

The DoPT has invited applications for scholarships for the children of Non-Statutory Departmental Canteen Employees for the academic years 2025-26 and 2026-27.

The scheme offers 26 scholarships across 20 disciplines, with amounts ranging from ₹2,000 per year for Class IX and X to ₹15,000 per year for B.E., B.Tech, MBBS and financial courses.

Candidates must have scored a minimum of 60% marks in the aggregate in their previous year's examination, with a 10% relaxation for SC, ST and handicapped children. One scholarship for Class IX and X is reserved for a girl child.

The last date for submitting applications is October 30, 2026, and awards are expected to be finalised by January 2027.

4. Sixth edition of pension payment scheme booklet

The foreword by Controller General of Accounts T.C.A. Kalyani states that "this edition incorporates significant changes in rules, regulations, instructions and guidelines issued by the concerned Ministries and Departments of Government of India on Central Civil Pension since its fifth edition issued in 2021.

The booklet covers not only central civil pensioners but also former Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Members of Parliament, retired Supreme Court and High Court Judges, All India Service pensioners, and Freedom Fighter pensioners.

The CPAO has recommended that all Centralised Pension Processing Centres circulate the booklet to pension account holding branches so staff remain "fully conversant with the latest rules, regulations, instructions, guidelines, and prescribed formats".

5. Three-day weekend for central government employees in Delhi due to BRICS Summit

The DoPT has ordered the closure of all central government offices located in Delhi and New Delhi on Friday, September 11, 2026, on account of the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit scheduled from September 11 to 13 at Bharat Mandapam.

The order, dated September 3, 2026, said, "recognizing the magnitude of this event, the substantial logistical arrangements involved and to minimize inconvenience to the general public, it has been decided to keep the Central Government offices located in Delhi/New Delhi closed on Friday, the 11th of September 2026".

With September 12 and 13 being Saturday and Sunday, employees effectively got a three-day weekend.

The summit will attended by leaders from about thirty BRICS members and partner countries, heads of international organisations, and business representatives.