IndiGo Carry-On Rules: India's Largest LCC (2026)

IndiGo (6E) is India's largest airline by market share, operating a vast domestic network across India as well as a growing range of short-haul international routes to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond. As India's dominant low-cost carrier, IndiGo's carry-on policy is clearly defined and actively enforced — understanding the rules before you fly will save you money and time at the gate.

IndiGo Carry-On Allowance at a Glance

Fare Type	Cabin Bag	Size	Weight
All Economy fares	1 cabin bag + personal item	55 × 35 × 25 cm	7 kg
SuperSaver / sale fares	Verify at booking	—	Typically 7 kg

IndiGo does not operate premium cabin classes. All passengers fly Economy, and the carry-on allowance is the same across the fleet.

The 7 kg Carry-On: What's Included

Every IndiGo fare includes one cabin bag up to 7 kg and one personal item:

• Cabin bag: Maximum 55 × 35 × 25 cm and 7 kg
• Personal item: A laptop bag or small ladies' purse, to be placed under the seat in front of you

The personal item allowance is not explicitly dimensioned by IndiGo in the same way as European carriers, but it must fit under the seat. A standard laptop bag or small handbag will typically pass without issue. A large daypack or second full bag will not.

There is no free checked baggage included in IndiGo base fares — checked luggage must be purchased separately, starting from 15 kg options pre-booked at discounted rates.

BCAS Enforcement: Why IndiGo Takes Weight Seriously

Unlike many European or North American carriers where carry-on weight enforcement is inconsistently applied, Indian aviation operates under BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) regulations that require airlines to actively monitor passenger carry-on loads. This is not optional for the airline — it is a regulatory requirement.

What this means in practice at major Indian airports (Delhi IGI, Mumbai CSIA, Bengaluru Kempegowda, Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi, etc.):

• Bag weighing at the gate is routine. IndiGo gate agents regularly weigh cabin bags before boarding. Do not assume your bag will slip through if it's over 7 kg.
• Physical size checks occur at some airports. Bag sizer frames may be present at the boarding gate.
• Overweight bags must be checked. There is no "pay a small fee and board anyway" option. Overweight bags must be checked into the hold, and the applicable excess baggage fee applies.
• Zero-tolerance during peak periods. On heavily booked morning and evening flights out of Delhi and Mumbai, enforcement is particularly strict.

The IndiGo Fare Ladder

IndiGo uses a tiered fare system under its 6E branding:

SuperSaver

IndiGo's lowest-priced fare. Typically includes the standard 7 kg carry-on, but sale fares may occasionally come with modified conditions. Read the fare rules carefully.

Saver

The standard base fare. Includes 7 kg cabin bag and personal item. No checked baggage.

Flexi

Higher price tier that includes some checked baggage (typically 15 kg) and some change flexibility. Cabin bag allowance remains 7 kg.

6E Prime / 6E Add-ons

IndiGo's seat selection and bundled add-on services. Does not increase carry-on allowance, but premium seat rows (front rows) allow faster deplaning.

6E Stretch (XL Seats)

Exit row and front-area seats. No change to carry-on allowance.

Excess Baggage: The Cost of Getting It Wrong

If your cabin bag is overweight at the gate, you will be required to check it and pay IndiGo's excess baggage fee. These fees are charged on a per-kg basis at the airport and are significantly higher than pre-purchased options:

• Pre-booked excess: Far cheaper than airport rates
• Airport excess: Charged per kg; rates vary but are typically ₹300–₹600 per kg at the airport counter
• Gate check (no pre-purchase): The most expensive option

The practical advice is clear: weigh your bag at home. If it exceeds 7 kg, either repack or pre-purchase excess baggage at IndiGo's website in advance, where per-kg rates are considerably lower.

International Routes

IndiGo operates international routes from India to destinations across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and nearby South Asian countries. On international sectors:

• The same 7 kg cabin bag rule applies
• Personal item (laptop bag / purse) is permitted
• Some international sale fares include checked baggage — verify at booking
• Connecting through an international hub may introduce the connecting carrier's rules for that segment

Prohibited Items and Security

India's BCAS and the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) govern aviation security at Indian airports:

• Liquids: 100 ml per container in a transparent resealable bag. Note that Indian airports apply this rule consistently — liquids over 100 ml purchased airside at some smaller airports may not always be sealed in tamper-evident bags, so check whether they will pass through security at your connecting point.
• Power banks: Lithium batteries and power banks must travel in cabin baggage. Power banks over 160 Wh are prohibited.
• Sharp objects: In hold luggage only.
• Scissors and tools: Indian security is strict about tools in carry-on. When in doubt, check.

Tips for IndiGo Passengers

Weigh your bag before you leave. The 7 kg limit is enforced. A cheap digital luggage scale is the best investment for IndiGo passengers. Weigh your packed bag — not just the bag empty.

Pack light or buy luggage in advance. If you need more than 7 kg in the cabin, IndiGo doesn't have a "buy cabin bag upgrade" option. Your only choices are: pack lighter, or pre-purchase checked baggage and move items to the hold.

Use your personal item strategically. A laptop bag or small handbag under the seat is included separately. Pack your laptop and charger, a book, a jacket, and other light items in your personal item rather than the main cabin bag. This can meaningfully reduce the weight in your weighed cabin bag.

Arrive early for domestic flights. Indian domestic boarding can be hectic. Overhead bins on IndiGo's narrow-body fleet (Airbus A320 family) fill quickly on busy routes. Early boarding means your bag travels in the cabin rather than getting gate-checked to the hold.

Check for promotional bundled fares. IndiGo periodically offers promotional fares that bundle seats, meals, and checked baggage at a discount. If you regularly need checked luggage, these bundled fares can be better value than buying add-ons separately.

The Bottom Line

IndiGo is a reliable, efficient low-cost carrier with a clear carry-on policy: one 7 kg cabin bag plus a personal item. Enforcement is strict — BCAS regulations ensure that Indian airport gate agents routinely weigh bags, and overweight bags are checked at the passenger's expense. The solution is simple: weigh your bag at home, pack within the limit, and use your personal item allowance intelligently. For longer trips, pre-purchase checked baggage through IndiGo's website at the lower online rate.