The spinner has flown back to the UK to deal with an urgent family matter and will not return to India before the end of the tour.
On Thursday, Ahmed was left out of England’s side for the Fourth Test, which began in Ranchi this morning.
It is understood that that decision was unrelated to the teenager’s personal situation, which did not come to light until later in the day.
Ahmed had played in each of the first three Tests, claiming 11 wickets at an average of 44, but Sussex’s Shoaib Bashir was preferred for the ongoing must-win contest.
England have decided against calling up a replacement, meaning they will go into the Fifth Test with the same spin options as at present, with Bashir and Tom Hartley.
Ahmed becomes the third England player to fly home from the tour, with Harry Brook leaving on the eve of the series for family reasons and Jack Leach doing likewise after the Second Test because of a knee injury.
