In early 2026, Indian civil aviation authorities reinforced safety rules for spare lithium power banks after a series of global cabin incidents. Indian media reported that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directed airlines to bar passengers from using power banks to charge phones, tablets, or laptops during flight, and from charging power banks from aircraft seat or USB outlets. The intent is to reduce in-flight thermal runaway risk while keeping batteries in the cabin where crew can respond.
What changed for travellers in India
- In-flight use — Passengers should assume they must not use a power bank to charge devices during the flight, and must not recharge the power bank from onboard power, as widely reported in January 2026.
- Stowage — Power banks and spare lithium batteries must remain in hand baggage only (never checked). Reports indicate airlines were instructed to keep them out of overhead bins where a fire is harder to detect; keep yours in your seat area or bag as crew direct.
- Capacity — The usual international limits still apply: typically up to 100 Wh without airline approval, and 100–160 Wh only with operator permission; above 160 Wh is not carried on passenger flights. Confirm on your ticketed airline’s site.
Why it matters
Lithium-ion power banks can fail violently if damaged or defective. Regulators worldwide already ban them from checked bags; India’s 2026 emphasis is on how spare batteries are handled in the cabin — especially during cruise when passengers are charging many devices at once.
At Indian airports: practical preparation
When DGCA directions emphasise cabin handling, expect security to pay close attention to loose batteries and power banks in hand baggage. Keep each spare unit in a separate small pouch, terminals protected, and be ready to show that the device is for personal use rather than bulk resale. If you rely on in-seat USB power, carry a printed screenshot of your airline’s latest notice in case crew interpret the charging ban differently on older aircraft.
If you are near 100 Wh or 160 Wh limits, carry airline approval in writing — Indian carriers may route you through secondary checks on busy holiday peaks.
Domestic Indian sectors often involve multiple security layers; expect your power bank to be rescanned if you change terminals in Delhi or Mumbai. Budget an extra ten minutes when connecting international to domestic on the same calendar day.
If you volunteer travel media or influencer gear with dozens of spare cells, split them across travelling colleagues so no single bag looks like a commercial shipment — otherwise security may treat the kit as cargo and refuse carriage on a passenger ticket.
Night departures from humid coastal cities can trigger extra swabs on external batteries; allow a few extra minutes and avoid packing power banks next to liquids that might leak onto labels.