Carry-On Rules India 2026: IndiGo, Air India & More

India has a growing number of carriers with their own carry-on policies, plus a centralised set of security rules set by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) that apply at every Indian airport regardless of airline. This guide covers the major Indian carriers, what to expect at security, and how domestic routes differ from international ones.

Major Indian Airline Carry-On Policies

IndiGo

IndiGo is India's largest airline by market share and operates an ultra-low-cost model. The carry-on allowance is strict and consistently enforced:

• Cabin bag: 1 piece, maximum 7 kg
• Size limit: 55 × 35 × 25 cm
• Personal item: A small handbag or laptop bag is allowed in addition to the cabin bag

IndiGo agents at busy airports such as Delhi Indira Gandhi (DEL) and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji (BOM) routinely weigh cabin bags before boarding. Bags that exceed 7 kg are asked to be checked in for a fee. If you are close to the limit, consider redistributing weight into a personal item before you reach the gate.

Air India

Air India is the national carrier and generally offers a more generous allowance than budget competitors:

• Cabin bag: 1 piece, maximum 8 kg
• Size limit: 55 × 35 × 25 cm
• Business class: Higher allowance applies — check your ticket conditions

Air India completed its merger with Vistara in late 2024. All routes formerly operated by Vistara are now Air India flights. If you held a Vistara frequent flyer membership, it has been migrated to Air India's Flying Returns programme.

SpiceJet

SpiceJet operates a budget model with a 7 kg cabin bag limit. The airline does not publish a personal item policy that is as clearly delineated as IndiGo's. Weight enforcement is applied at check-in desks and gate areas, particularly at Delhi and Mumbai.

• Cabin bag: 1 piece, maximum 7 kg
• Size limit: SpiceJet recommends dimensions similar to the industry standard (55 × 35 × 25 cm)

Air India Express

Air India Express is the low-cost subsidiary of Air India, serving short-haul international routes and domestic routes in southern India:

• Cabin bag: 1 piece, maximum 7 kg
• Size limit: 55 × 35 × 25 cm

BCAS Security Rules at Indian Airports

All Indian airports operate under BCAS regulations, which set a standard security process:

Laptop and Electronics Removal

Laptops must be removed from bags and placed in a separate tray at the X-ray checkpoint. This applies universally on all departures — domestic and international. Large tablets and cameras are also typically removed. Pack electronics near the top of your bag or in an external sleeve to speed up this step.

Shoes and Belt Policy

Unlike at many US airports, shoes are often required to be removed at Indian security checkpoints. Belt removal is also standard. Wearing slip-on shoes and a belt-free outfit can save time at busy airports.

Liquids and Gels

India follows the international 100ml rule for liquids on international departures. Each container must be 100ml or smaller, and all liquids must fit in a transparent resealable bag. On domestic flights, enforcement is variable — some airports are strict, others less so. Packing liquids in a clear bag regardless of route is the safest approach.

Domestic vs International Routes

For domestic flights, both the airline's weight limit and the BCAS security rules apply. Personal items are generally permitted on domestic flights as a second piece, but check your specific fare conditions.

For international departures, the 100ml liquids rule is consistently enforced. You will also encounter CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) officers managing security lanes, and additional pre-security document checks are common — have your boarding pass and photo ID accessible before you join the queue.

Tips for Indian Airports

Arrive early at Delhi and Mumbai. Both airports are among the busiest in Asia and security queues can be long, particularly during morning and evening peak travel times. Allow at least 2.5 hours before international departures and 1.5–2 hours for domestic flights.

Weigh your bag before you leave home. Budget carriers enforce weight limits with charges, and the fees for overweight cabin bags can be significant relative to ticket prices on cheap fares.

Keep liquids in a separate pouch. Even on domestic routes, having a clear toiletries bag ready to pull out speeds up the security process and avoids issues if an officer decides to enforce the liquids rule.

Pre-board security document checks. Many Indian airports conduct an initial check of travel documents — boarding pass and government-issued ID — before you reach the CISF security lane. Have these ready before joining the main queue.