The 'One-Bag Rule' for Cabin Luggage
The most significant change affecting all passengers departing from an Indian airport is the strict enforcement of the “one-bag rule” by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). For economy class travellers on most domestic airlines like IndiGo and
SpiceJet, this means you are permitted one primary cabin bag weighing a maximum of 7 kg. In addition to this, you can carry one small personal item, such as a ladies' handbag, a slim laptop sleeve, or a small backpack, which must fit under the seat in front of you. It's crucial to note that airport security may ask you to consolidate your personal item into your main cabin bag if it is deemed too large. The dimensions for the main bag are also strictly checked, so verify the exact size with your airline before packing. Air India, for instance, has slightly different dimensions (55x40x20 cm) compared to IndiGo (55x35x25 cm).
Checked Baggage: It Depends on Your Ticket
The days of a uniform checked baggage allowance are over. Today, your allowance is directly tied to the fare family or ticket category you purchase. For domestic economy flyers, the default allowance on the cheapest tickets from carriers like IndiGo is now 15 kg. Air India has also adopted a tiered system for its domestic economy fares: 'Value' fares come with 15 kg, 'Classic' with 20 kg, and 'Flex' with 25 kg. This unbundling of fares means paying close attention during booking is critical. IndiGo is also very strict about its one-piece rule for the standard 15 kg allowance; attempting to check in two smaller bags, even if their combined weight is under 15 kg, will result in an extra-piece fee. For all airlines, there is a universal safety regulation that no single checked bag can weigh more than 32 kg.
Power Banks and Electronics: Carry, Don't Check
One of the most common points of confusion at security screening involves power banks and lithium batteries. The rule is simple and absolute: power banks are strictly forbidden in checked luggage. They must be carried in your cabin baggage. According to regulations from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), these power banks should not exceed a capacity of 100 watt-hours (Wh). Most commercially available power banks for phones and laptops fall within this limit, but it's always wise to check the specifications printed on the device itself. For international travellers, a significant and welcome change in 2026 is that one laptop per passenger aged 18 or over can now be brought into India duty-free, and this does not count towards your general duty-free allowance.
International Travellers: New Customs Allowances
For passengers arriving in India from international destinations, the Baggage Rules 2026 brought some positive updates. Effective from February 2026, the general duty-free allowance for Indian residents returning by air has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. This is the value of goods you can bring into the country for personal use without paying any customs duty. Furthermore, the rules around carrying personal jewellery have been clarified. A female passenger who has resided abroad for over a year can bring in up to 40 grams of gold jewellery duty-free, while the limit for male passengers is 20 grams. These specific allowances are a major shift from the previous value-based assessments and provide much greater clarity for returning residents.
