If you own a MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 power bank, leave it out of your luggage. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has prohibited this model on flights to, from and within India. The order covers cabin baggage, checked baggage and cargo, and airlines must make sure the model never boards an aircraft.
On October 11, a passenger’s power bank in the overhead bin of a Chennai-bound IndiGo plane caught fire, and the aircraft landed safely in Hyderabad after a diversion. The dates leave one question open. Deccan Herald reports that the DGCA communication is dated September 29, which is before this fire, while other outlets say the directive took effect on October 14. The September order cites an earlier “recent” fire, so the IndiGo incident may be a separate event that put the ban in the headlines.
The restriction applies only to this specific model, not to power banks in general. Your other power banks can still fly, as long as they follow DGCA’s rules and your airline’s policy. Keep them in hand baggage, never in the overhead compartment, and don’t use them to charge your phone in flight.
Which Power Bank Model Is Banned by DGCA in India?
The DGCA has barred the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 from air travel in response to safety concerns linked to a reported fire. Its September 29, 2026 order covers cabin and checked bags on every flight to, from or within India, plus cargo. Airlines must identify the banned model, prevent passengers from carrying it onboard, and notify them of the restriction.
The restriction applies only to the specified model. You can still carry other power banks that meet safety standards and airline requirements.
Why Has DGCA Banned the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 Power Bank?
Power banks are a travel essential. They keep your phone and other electronic devices charged during a long layover, a delayed flight, or when your seat’s power outlet stops working. However, power banks contain batteries that can catch fire if they are damaged, faulty or exposed to excessive heat.
Power banks contain lithium-ion or lithium-polymer cells. If these cells overheat, become damaged, or short-circuit, they can release smoke or catch fire. The worst case is thermal runaway. The battery heats itself, the heat triggers more reactions inside the cell, and the reactions make more heat. Once it starts, it is very hard to stop. On the ground, you step away. On an aircraft, smoke spreads through a closed cabin and the crew has seconds to act.
That is the risk behind DGCA’s ban on the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04. The order follows a reported fire involving that model. What caused the fire is a separate matter. No official investigation has confirmed a technical cause, so treat any claim about the exact fault as unproven.
Are 20,000mAh Power Banks Allowed on Flights in India?
A 20,000mAh power bank is allowed on flights in India, but only in your cabin bag. It has to stay out of your checked bag, and DGCA doesn’t allow you to charge devices from it onboard.
Airlines set limits in watt-hours (Wh), not mAh. To convert, multiply the mAh rating by 3.7 volts and divide by 1,000:
20,000 × 3.7 ÷ 1,000 = 74Wh
At 74Wh, a 20,000mAh bank sits well under the 100Wh limit that needs no airline approval. Many banks print the Wh rating on the label, so check yours. The only exception is the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04. DGCA has banned it on every flight to, from and within India, whatever its capacity.
How to Check If Your Power Bank Is on the Banned List
Take a minute before you pack. Pick up the power bank you plan to carry and run through these five checks.
- Read the model number – It is printed on the back or the side of the device. If it says MOBIKINS MK-PB-04, leave it at home. That model is banned on all flights in, out of and across India.
- Find the watt-hour rating – Look for “Wh” on the label. If you only see mAh, multiply the mAh by the voltage and divide by 1,000. A 10,000 mAh power bank at 3.7 V holds about 37 Wh.
- Look for safety certification – Search for the product’s BIS registration details on the official BIS website, and don’t take a logo on the box as proof. A power bank with no verifiable certification is not worth the risk.
These checks take a few minutes. They keep a banned device out of your bag and spare you a confiscated power bank at security or a delay at the gate.
DGCA’s ban on the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 is a reminder that battery safety starts before you board. Power banks from other brands and models are not affected. Every other power bank can still fly to, from and within India, as long as you follow the rules.
That means a few simple things. Keep it in your hand baggage, stay within the airline’s capacity limit, and never use or recharge it in flight. If you’re flying from USA to India, read the model number of your power bank, find the Wh rating and look up your airline’s battery policy before you leave. A few minutes at home saves you a confiscated power bank at the airport, and it keeps the cabin safer for everyone on board.
FAQs
Q1) Has DGCA banned all power banks on Indian flights?
A) No. The DGCA ban applies specifically to the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04. Other power banks remain subject to the applicable battery safety requirements and airline rules.
Q2) Which power bank model did the DGCA ban in 2026?
A) The prohibited model is the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04. The restriction covers cabin baggage, checked baggage, and cargo on flights to, from, and within India.
Q3) What is the maximum power bank capacity allowed on flights in India?
A) The permitted capacity depends on the battery’s watt-hour (Wh) rating and the airline’s rules. A 20,000mAh power bank rated at 3.7V has a nominal capacity of about 74Wh. Check the rating printed on your device before travelling.
Q4) Should I pack my power bank in cabin baggage or checked luggage?
A) Pack your permitted power bank in your cabin baggage. Power banks are not allowed in checked luggage. Follow your airline’s instructions on where to store the device during the flight.
Q5) Can I charge my phone with a power bank on a flight?
A) No. DGCA guidance prohibits passengers from using power banks to charge phones or other electronic devices during a flight. It also prohibits recharging power banks through aircraft power outlets or USB ports.
