Airport Security Tray: What to Take Out of Your Bag in India (2026)

Updated July 2026 · HappyFares

The security queue moves at the speed of the least prepared person in it. Five minutes of packing sense at home usually means you walk through without a bag check at the other end.

What goes into the tray at Indian airport security?

Screening standards in India are set by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, and the checkpoint is staffed by CISF or state police depending on the airport. The routine is broadly consistent nationwide, and this is the usual tray load.

• Laptops, tablets and large cameras. Out of the bag and flat in their own tray, unless the lane signage says otherwise.
• Power banks and spare lithium batteries. These belong in cabin baggage only, and taking them out gives the operator a clean image.
• Liquids pouch. Containers of up to 100 ml, kept together in a clear resealable bag.
• Metal and pocket clutter. Belt with a metal buckle, watch, coins, keys, wallet chains, bulky jewellery.
• Outer layers. Jacket, hoodie or blazer comes off and goes in the tray.
• Awkward items. Umbrellas, tripods and selfie sticks are often pulled for separate screening, so keep them accessible.
• Duty-free liquids. Leave the tamper-evident bag sealed and show it with the receipt if asked.

Shoes generally stay on at Indian airports, unlike some countries, though an officer may ask for heavy boots or thick soles to be screened. Photography is not permitted at the checkpoint, so keep the phone in the tray rather than in your hand.

Do you still have to take the laptop out in 2026?

At most lanes, yes. Standard X-ray screening still works best with large electronics out of the bag, and that remains the default instruction at the majority of Indian checkpoints. If you are unsure, take it out: nothing is lost by doing so.

That said, newer screening technology is being introduced at some Indian airports, and lanes fitted with advanced computed-tomography style scanners can produce a clear image without unpacking laptops. Where that equipment is installed, the signage at the lane will say so and the officer will tell you to leave devices inside. Follow the instruction at your lane on the day rather than a rule you read somewhere, because two lanes in the same terminal can differ.

What must never go into your checked bag?

Some items are cabin-only, and packing them in the hold means your bag gets pulled and you get called back to the baggage hall, which is a slow and public way to miss a flight.

• Power banks and spare lithium batteries. Cabin only, never in checked baggage. Units up to 100 Wh are generally accepted, and 100 Wh to 160 Wh usually needs airline approval. Several airlines now ask passengers not to use or charge a power bank during flight, so listen for the announcement.
• Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices. These are prohibited in India under national law, and airlines do not accept them in the hold anywhere. The simplest course is to leave them at home.
• Lighters and matchboxes. Indian security rules do not permit them in cabin baggage, and they are not accepted in checked baggage either. Expect confiscation at screening.
• Valuables and essentials. Medicines, documents, jewellery, chargers and anything you cannot replace should stay with you, both for safety and because delayed bags happen.

What has to travel in the hold instead of the cabin?

The mirror image of the list above. Sharp items go in checked baggage: scissors, razor blades that are not in a cartridge, knives, and craft tools. So do most hand tools, sports equipment such as bats and rackets, and anything with a blunt striking capability.

Liquids larger than the permitted container size also travel in the hold, which is worth remembering for cosmetics, sauces, pickles and gifts. Aerosols are subject to quantity limits and some types are not carried at all. Medically necessary liquids, baby food and formula are generally allowed in the cabin in reasonable quantities when you declare them at screening, and carrying a prescription or doctor’s note makes that conversation shorter.

How do you get through the queue faster?

Pack a tray layer. Put the laptop, power bank and liquids pouch at the top of your bag or in an outer pocket so they come out in one motion. Wear slip-on shoes and a belt without a heavy buckle, and empty your pockets into your bag before you reach the conveyor rather than at it.

A few India-specific points help too. Hand-baggage tag stamping has been discontinued at most Indian airports, but your boarding pass is still checked at the security point, so keep it and your ID out. Most Indian airlines allow one cabin bag of up to 7 kg in economy plus a small personal item, with exact limits depending on the airline and fare. DigiYatra lanes, where available, speed up terminal entry, though everyone still goes through the same screening.

Common Questions

Do I have to take my shoes off at Indian airport security?

Generally no. Footwear normally stays on unless the walk-through detector alarms or an officer asks, which is more likely with heavy boots, metal-heeled shoes or thick platform soles.

Can I carry a power bank on an Indian flight?

Yes, in cabin baggage only. Capacity limits apply, with units up to 100 Wh generally accepted and larger ones needing airline approval. Airlines increasingly ask that power banks are not used or charged in flight, so check your carrier’s current instruction.

How much liquid can I take in the cabin?

The familiar rule applies: containers of up to 100 ml, carried together in a clear resealable pouch. Duty-free liquids bought airside stay in their sealed tamper-evident bag with the receipt inside.

Is my laptop bag a second cabin bag?

On most Indian carriers a laptop bag or handbag counts as the small personal item allowed alongside your cabin bag, but sizes and allowances differ by airline and fare type. Check the airline’s baggage page before you leave home.

Are lighters allowed in checked baggage?

No. Lighters and matches are not permitted in cabin or checked baggage on flights in India. If you are carrying one, hand it over before screening rather than risk a bag search.

Can I take an umbrella or a tripod in the cabin?

Umbrellas are commonly allowed in the cabin at Indian airports, though the officer may ask for separate screening. Tripods and selfie sticks are often refused and sent to the hold, so pack them in checked baggage if the shot matters.

Security rules, baggage limits and fees change; verify current specifics with your airline, BCAS or the airport before you travel.