India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced severe rules which limit the usage of power banks on flights in order to prevent the occurrence of lithium battery fires and to make flying safer for the passengers. Charging of power banks during the flight and connectivity of power banks with seat power systems are now completely banned.

The new rule imposes that power banks and spare lithium batteries be taken along only in the hand luggage and not into the overhead bins for better visibility and monitoring. It is a must for the airlines to make inflight safety announcements, place warnings at the airports, and inform the DGCA of any such device related incidents.

The civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu accepted that the decision was made after considering safety worldwide consultations and among other things, the battery overheating incidents that are taking place all over the world. The new regulations which will be enforced starting January 2026, will position India together with the international carriers such as Emirates and Singapore Airlines.

Safety Measures and Guidelines

The Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular (No. 01/2025) issued by the DGCA was intended to establish the safety requirements for both passengers and crew and was published in November 2025.

• In the event that a gadget gives off heat, smoke, or strange smell, it is imperative for the passengers to inform the flight attendants without delay.
• The airlines are required to have special fire suppression devices like containment bags, and to drill their personnel in emergency response exercises.
• Airports should set up large signs, show videos, and have pre-flight checklists for passengers reminding them to charge their devices and put them in protective cases.

Airlines including IndiGo and Air India are not just implementing verbal reminders to ensure that the regulations are adhered to but are also making the travelers co-partners in safety actively through all rounds of air travel such as boarding, checking, and inflight announcing.

Rising Incidents Prompt Regulation

The move comes after a global increase in lithium battery incidents, including mid-flight sparks and smoke in cabins reported by Emirates and Singapore Airlines. In the U.S., the FAA recorded over 300 battery-related disruptions in 2025, including e-bike and vape fires.

India’s flying growth, which is anticipated to reach over 150 million passengers by 2025, increased the dangers, as power banks in the overhead bins were inaccessible during the flights. Professionals like aviation safety consultant Captain Sanjay Bahadur put it that carrying gadgets in the hand luggage makes it easier for the crew to identify differences quickly.

Earlier domestic incidents, though minor, prompted DGCA’s proactive circular to prevent potential disasters. These rules also align with ICAO standards and mirror restrictions in the EU and Australia, limiting lithium batteries above 100Wh, with larger batteries requiring airline approval.

Passenger Impact and Compliance

New rules have been imposed on passengers, especially those who travel a lot and live in places such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The usage of power banks that exceed 160Wh is strictly prohibited, whereas power banks that fall in the range of 100-160Wh will be allowed only with the approval of the respective airline.

Airlines mention that they get almost total compliance on the rule after informing and teaching the passengers about it, and this remains true even for the less informed Tier-2 cities. Long-term, this may encourage passengers to adopt safer alternatives, such as solar chargers or inflight USB ports, reducing lithium load onboard.

Financially, the rules help airlines avoid costly emergency diversions, estimated at Rs 2–5 crore per incident, while enhancing trust in India’s aviation safety record. However, enforcing hand luggage rules during full flights remains challenging.

A Safer Aviation Culture

The DGCA regulations give priority to safety, crew training and passenger involvement which shows that alertness and teamwork are the two factors that are necessary to avoid accidents. India is taking the initiative to be at the forefront of airline safety and at the same time, a responsible sharing of in-flight security between passengers and airlines is developing as a culture.