India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has withdrawn temporary fare caps on domestic airfares with effect from March 23, 2026, ending a price-control regime introduced in December 2025 to manage fare volatility following large-scale operational disruptions at IndiGo.
The Ministry confirmed that capacity has since been restored and operations across the sector have normalised, making the restrictions no longer necessary. Airlines are now free to price tickets based on market demand, though the Ministry has directed carriers to exercise pricing discipline and maintain fares that are reasonable, transparent and proportionate to market conditions. Any instance of excessive fare increases, particularly during periods of high demand or further disruptions, will be treated seriously, the Ministry warned, adding that airfare trends will continue to be monitored in real time.
The withdrawal coincides with the release of the DGCA’s summer flight schedule, which came into effect on March 29 and runs through October 2026. Passengers have been advised to verify schedules directly with their respective airlines, as last-minute changes due to operational requirements remain possible.
For those travelling to India during the summer season, the removal of fare caps warrants closer attention to pricing, particularly during peak travel periods.
