Alcohol laws of India

Alcohol laws of India

The legal drinking age in India and the laws which regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol vary significantly from state to state.[1] In India, consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Gujarat, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland,[2] as well as the union territory of Lakshadweep. All other Indian states permit alcohol consumption but fix a legal drinking age of between 1825 years. In some states, the legal drinking age can be different for different types of alcoholic beverages.

Legal drinking age

The following list is incomplete. Please help complete the list by providing references
State/ UT Andaman and Nicobar Islands Andhra Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh Assam Bihar Chandigarh Chhattisgarh Dadra and Nagar Haveli Daman and Diu Delhi Goa Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh Jammu and Kashmir Jharkhand Karnataka Kerala Lakshadweep Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra 25 18 [3] [3] Non-Residents of Gujarat can apply for limited Liquor Permits. 21 21 [3] [4] Drinking Age Remarks It is illegal to sell or supply any liquor to Andamanese, Nicobarese or any other Scheduled Tribes.

25 21 25 [3] [5]

Illegal 18 18 21 [3] [6]

[7][8] 21

21 21

[9] Arrack is banned in Kerala since 1996. [11] [12][13]

[10]

Illegal no data No limit [14] (wine) 21 (beer) [14] 25 (Other) Illegal 25 [16]

Consumption is legal only on the island of Bangaram.

The drinking age is 30 years in Wardha district.

[15]

Manipur Meghalaya

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Illegal

Mizoram

Manufacture, sale and consumption of wine from guavas and grapes permitted. Manufactured wine [17] cannot be transported out of Mizoram. Sale and consumption illegal since 1989. [17]

Nagaland Orissa Pondicherry Punjab Rajasthan Sikkim Tamil Nadu Tripura Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand West Bengal

Illegal 21

[2]

[3]

25 18

[18] [19] [4] [3]

18 21

18

[]

21 21 [16]

Drunk Driving Law

The blood alcohol content (BAC) limits are fixed at 0.03%[20] or 35 l alcohol in 100 ml blood.[21] Any person whose BAC values are detected more than this limit is booked under the first offense. A person may be fined about 2000 and\or he or she may face a maximum of 6 months imprisonment. If a second offense is committed within 3 years of the first then a person may be fined about 3000 and/or he or she may face a maximum of 2 years imprisonment. Despite such strict drink driving law, authorities acknowledge that many times they find it difficult to restrict and make the offenders to follow the law. The offenders tend to escape through bribery or by finding loop holes in the law. On 1 March 2012, the Union Cabinet approved proposed changes to the Motor Vehicle Act. As per the new provisions, drunk driving would be dealt with higher penalty and jail terms - fines ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 and imprisonment from 6 months to 4 years. Drink driving will be graded according to alcohol levels in the blood. Giving details of the proposed fine on drunken driving, officials said in cases where alcohol level is less than 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, it would not amount to an offence. However, if it is between 30-60 mg per 100 ml of blood, the proposed penalty would be 6 months of imprisonment and/or 2,000 fine. In case the alcohol level is 60-150 mg per 100 ml of blood, the penalty would be one year imprisonment and/or 4,000. If the offence is repeated within three years, the penalty would go up to 3 years imprisonment and/or 8,000. For those who are found heavily drunk with alcohol levels of over 150 mg per 100 ml of blood, the penalty will be 2 years imprisonment and or 5,000. Repeat offence within a three year period will attract a penalt years jail and fine of 10,000 besides cancellation of licence.[22]

Alcohol laws of India

Advertisements
Advertising alcoholic beverages is banned in India as per the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which came into effect on September 8, 2000. The government is very particular against broadcasting such advertisements on its channel, Doordarshan, whereas most of the private channels still broadcast surrogate alcohol advertisements.[20]

Dry Days
Dry Days are specific days when the sale of alcohol is banned. All of the Indian states observe dry days on major religious festivals/occasions depending on the popularity of the festival in that region. Dry days may also depend on the establishment selling alcohol. For example, generally 5-star hotels do not have to observe all the dry days that smaller bars may have to. Dry Days are fixed by the respective state government. These dry days are observed to maintain peace and order during the festival days. Dry days are also observed on voting days. National holidays such as Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15) and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) are usually dry days throughout India.

Dry Days by State

Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Month January February March April May June July August Date/Festival 7, 26 (Republic Day), 30 (Martyrs' Day) 7 7, Holi 7, Good Friday 7 7 7 15 (Independence Day)

September 7 October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), Dusshera

November 7 December 7

In addition to the above the following days are also dry days: Muharram The last working day of calendar month. The day of poll and proceeding two days in all General elections, By-Elections to Lok Sabha, Municipal Board and Panchayat. Any other day the Government may by notification declare to be a dry day. Source: Andaman and Nicobar Excise Department [23]

Alcohol laws of India

Andhra Pradesh
Month January February March April May June July August Date 26 (Republic Day) 15 (Independence Day)

September October 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi)

November December -

Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state. Source: Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation Ltd. [24]

Delhi
Month January February March April May June July August 26 (Republic Day) 12 (Maharishi Dayanand Jayanti), 16 (Guru Ravidas Jayanti) Holi, Mahavir Jayanti Good Friday, Mahavir Jayanti Buddha Purnima Buddha Purnima 15 (Independence Day), Krishna Janmashtami Date/Festival

September Krishna Janmashtami October 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi), Dussehra, Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, Diwali

November Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Guru Tegh Bahadur Martydom Day December -

Festival date may be in either month. In addition to the above the following days are also dry days: Ram Navami Maha Shivratri Eid al-Adha

Alcohol laws of India Eid ul-Fitr Muharram Milad un Nabi Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state.

On dry days, sale and supply of liquor will be suspended meaning thereby all wholesalers will not make the supply of liquor and all the retail vendors will remain closed. However, service of liquor in licensed bars, hotels, clubs and restaurants is permissible even on dry days except on three national holidays. On the national holidays, even L-20 / L-49A licenses are not granted. These are special temporary licenses granted for service of liquor in parties/functions. These licenses may however, be granted on other dry days. Even on the three national holidays, liquor can be served by the hotels provided they have obtained L-3 license. L-3 licence allows hotels to serve liquor to the residents of their rooms. There is no ban for service of liquor by anyone at his residence provided the liquor served is authorised and is within the permissible limits. Source: Department of Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax [25]

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu
Month January February March April May June July August 15 (Independence Day), Krishna Janmashtami Date/Festival

September Krishna Janmashtami October 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi)

November Guru Nanak Jayanti December -

Festival date may be in either month. In addition to the above the following days are also dry days: Ram Navmi Maha Shivratri Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state. Dry days can also be declaered on such days not exceeding three days during a year as may be declared by the State Government

Alcohol laws of India Kashmir

Month January February March April May June July August 15 (Independence Day), Krishna Janmashtami Date/Festival

September Krishna Janmashtami October 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi)

November December -

Festival date may be in either month. In addition to the above the following days are also dry days: Maha Shivratri Eid ul-Fitr Eid ul-Zuha Eid-e-Milaad Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state. Dry days can also be declared on such days not exceeding three days during a year as may be declared by the State Government

Source: THE JAMMU & KASHMIR LIQUOR LICENSE & SALE RULES, 1984 [26]

Kerala
Month January February March April May June July August Date 1, 30 (Martyrs' Day) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

September 1 October 1, 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi)

November 1 December 1

Alcohol laws of India

In addition to the above the following days are also dry days: Good Friday Birthday of Sree Narayana Guru Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi (5th day of Malayalam month Kanni; SeptemberOctober) In all areas where elections are being held, the day of polling and previous day will be declared dry days. During vote counting, the dry days will be notified by the local authority. Source: BevCo [27]

Karnataka
October 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi) is the only dry day in Karnataka.[28] Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state.

Maharashtra
This list may vary depending on the date of festivals as well as specific dry day announcements by the Government of Maharashtra.
Month January February March April May June July August Date/Festival 26 (Republic Day), 30 (Martyrs' Day) 1 (Maharashtra Day) Ashadi Ekadashi Ashadi Ekadashi 15 (Independence Day)

September Anant Chaturdashi October 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi), 8 (End of Prohibition Week)

November Kartiki Ekadashi December 25 (Christmas)

Festival date may be in June or July. Dry days also include the day or days on which polls in relation to any general election or by-election to the Lok Sabha or the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly or any local authority in the state is taken in the constituency and two days immediately before such day of poll the day after poll,the day before the counting day or days on the counting day or day and the day immediately after counting. On any day in any area the Collector may, after giving a notice of not less than seven days in the official Gazette and in any local newspaper having wide circulation in such area specify that day as a dry day.[29] Source: Maharashtra State Excise [30]

Alcohol laws of India

Rajasthan
Month January February March April May June July August Date/Festival 26 (Republic Day), 30 (Martyrs' Day) Mahavir Jayanti Mahavir Jayanti 15 (Independence Day), Krishna Janmashtami

September Krishna Janmashtami October 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi)

November December -

Festival date may be in either month. In addition to the above the following days are also dry days: Maha Shivratri Harijan Day Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state. Source: Rajasthan Excise Department 1 [31] Rajasthan Excise Department 2 [32]

Tamil Nadu
Month January February March April May June July August Date/Festival Tiruvallur Day, 26 (Republic Day) Mahavir Jayanti Mahavir Jayanti 1 (May Day) 15 (Independence Day)

September October 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi)

November December -

Festival date may be in either month. In addition to the above the following days are also dry days:

Alcohol laws of India Vallalar Death Anniversary Milad un Nabi Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state. Source: TASMAC [33]

West Bengal
Month January February March April May June July August Date/Festival 26 (Republic Day) Second Day Of Holi Mahavir Jayanti 15 (Independence Day)

September October 2 (Gandhi Jayanthi), Dusshera (Bijaya Dashami)

November December -

Festival date may be in March or April. From 15 hours of the day In addition to the above the following days are also dry days: On the 9th and 10th day of Muharram Eid ul-Fitr Eid al-Adha Second Day of Durga Puja (Maha Ashtami Day) Dol Jatra Kali Puja (From 15 hours of the day) In all General or By-Elections to the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha, during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of the poll and during the day(s) of counting of votes within the territorial jurisdiction of the concerned constituency where polls are held. In Election or By-Election to the Municipalityor Panchayat or Municipal Corporation or Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, on the day(s) of the poll and on the day immediate preceding the day of the poll and during the day(s) of counting of votes within the territorial jurisdiction of the concerned constituency where polls are held. Source: Department of Excise, West Bengal [34]

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References
[1] "Minimum Age Limits Worldwide" (http:/ / www. icap. org/ Table/ MinimumAgeLimitsWorldwide). International Center for Alcohol Policies. . [2] "Alcohol prohibition to remain in Nagaland" (http:/ / www. ucanews. com/ 2010/ 08/ 31/ alcohol-prohibition-to-remain-in-nagaland/ ). . [3] "Cheers! Orissa raises a toast to 21" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2011-06-18/ bhubaneswar/ 29673635_1_drinking-age-minimum-age-alcohol). The Times of India. 18 June 2011. . [4] "Maharashtra's legal drinking age is highest in world" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2011-06-24/ mumbai/ 29698621_1_drinking-age-drinking-age-alcohol/ 2). The Times of India. 24 June 2011. . [5] http:/ / www. chandigarhtalks. com/ under-age-drinking-in-chandigarh/ [6] http:/ / www. himvani. com/ news/ 2011/ 12/ 21/ himachal-bans-selling-liquor-minors/ 19813 [7] http:/ / jkexcise. nic. in/ documents/ eact. pdf [8] http:/ / jkexcise. nic. in/ documents/ exc_rule. pdf [9] "Age no bar: Karnataka youth can have liquor at 21" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2011-06-17/ bangalore/ 29669630_1_age-limit-excise-minister-liquor). The Times Of India. 17 June 2011. . [10] http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/ liquor-policy-aims-to-curb-buying-selling/ 823912/ [11] http:/ / ibnlive. in. com/ news/ arrack-ban-to-stay-in-kerala/ 35998-3. html [12] http:/ / wikitravel. org/ en/ Lakshadweep#Stay_safe [13] http:/ / lakshadweep. nic. in/ bangaram. html [14] "Maha ups drinking age to 25" (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ Maha-ups-drinking-age-to-25/ Article1-704628. aspx). Hindustan Times. 2 June 2011. . [15] "Maharashtra's legal drinking age is highest in world" (http:/ / articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ 2011-06-24/ mumbai/ 29698621_1_drinking-age-drinking-age-alcohol). The Times Of India. . [16] "Drink at 18 in Lucknow, 25 in Mumbai, 16 in Rome" (http:/ / ibnlive. in. com/ news/ drink-on-18-in-lucknow-25-in-mumbai-16-in-rome/ 156256-3. html). IBN Live. 2 June 2011. . [17] "No Drink For You? India's Dry States" (http:/ / www. fullstopindia. com/ liquor-prohibited-a-list-of-dry-states-in-india). Full Stop India. . [18] http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/ underage-drinking-punjab-to-take-action-aga/ 614084/ [19] http:/ / rajexcise. org/ web/ misc_bar_restaurant. htm [20] http:/ / www. ifood. tv/ blog/ alcohol-law-in-india [21] http:/ / mumbaimirror. com/ article/ 15/ 2011122520111225033242577203a62aa/ This-New-Year-pubs-to-face-police-action-if-patrons-drinkdrive. html [22] http:/ / www. deccanherald. com/ content/ 231201/ govt-clears-five-fold-hike. html [23] http:/ / www. and. nic. in/ Announcements/ Excise_policy. pdf [24] http:/ / emulate. aponline. gov. in/ apbcl/ index. html [25] http:/ / excise. delhigovt. nic. in/ ex3b. asp [26] http:/ / jkexcise. nic. in/ documents/ exc_rule. pdf [27] http:/ / www. ksbc. kerala. gov. in/ know. htm [28] "Why must Delhi have dry days? - The Times of India" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ city/ delhi-times/ Why-must-Delhi-have-dry-days/ articleshow/ 668982. cms). The Times Of India. . [29] http:/ / www. mid-day. com/ news/ 2011/ jan/ 260111-Nirupa-Roy-TB-dry-day-Republic-Day-mumbai. htm [30] http:/ / stateexcise. maharashtra. gov. in/ EXCISE/ list_of__dry_days. htm [31] http:/ / rajexcise. org/ web/ info. htm [32] http:/ / rajexcise. org/ web/ faq1. htm [33] http:/ / www. kosukadi. com/ tamilnadu-dry-days-2012-liquor-shops-closed/ [34] http:/ / wbexcise. gov. in/ ExcisePortal/ Closure%20of%20retail. htm

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Article Sources and Contributors

Alcohol laws of India Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=510104025 Contributors: Alan Liefting, Andrew Gray, De728631, Flowanda, FoeNyx, Gareth Griffith-Jones, Hugo999, Kwamikagami, LadyofShalott, Mushroom9, Niceguyedc, Rajuonline, Sun Creator, Vanished user qwqwijr8hwrkjdnvkanfoh4, Wikipelli, Woohookitty, Wootini, Xufanc, Xwas, 54 anonymous edits

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