(INDIA) — India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed domestic airlines to make at least 60% of seats on every flight available free of charge for seat selection or allocation, effective March 18, 2026.

Three months into the directive, the mandate reshapes the cost calculus for domestic travelers, particularly those considering Air India’s new “Basic Fare” category. This category unbundles seat selection, baggage, and meals from the base ticket.

The directive applies to all airlines operating domestic routes within India. IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and other carriers must configure their booking systems so that six out of every ten seats carry no selection fee.

The policy surfaced alongside Air India’s rollout of the Basic Fare category on select domestic routes. This is a no-frills ticket that reduces the base price while charging separately for services that were once bundled.

Three months past the effective date, the enforcement picture remains incomplete. The original government notification has not been publicly released.

Reports of the mandate circulate through secondary coverage and social media reposts rather than official gazette publication. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has not published a confirmed enforcement framework, and specific penalties for non-compliance remain unspecified.

On a standard 180-seat Airbus A320, at least 108 seats must be free to select. On a 190-seat Boeing 737, the floor is 114 seats.

Airlines retain the right to charge for premium locations: exit rows, extra-legroom seats, and front-cabin placements. The remaining 40% can still carry fees ranging from ₹200 to ₹2,500 depending on the route, seat type, and carrier.

Before the directive, domestic carriers varied widely in their seat-allocation practices. Indi