Delhi govt weighs lowering beer drinking age from 25 to 21, considers return of private liquor shops 


Representative image

The Delhi government is weighing a major revamp of its excise regime, including lowering the legal age for drinking beer from 25 to 21 and reopening the door for private liquor vendors, TOI cited sources as saying.

The proposal, discussed at a recent meeting of ministers, senior officials and industry stakeholders, aims to align Delhi’s rules with those of neighbouring states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where the minimum drinking age is 21 for all types of alcohol.

Stakeholders reportedly said the move is likely to help curb black-market sales and prevent revenue leakage to adjoining regions.

The first round of discussions was chaired by Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma and included Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Home Minister Ashish Sood and excise department officials.

According to TOI, the deliberations also focused on larger structural reforms, including the introduction of a hybrid model that would allow both government-run and private liquor outlets to operate in the capital.

At present, liquor sales in Delhi are managed exclusively through state-run corporations. Each outlet is mandated to sell at a fixed profit margin of Rs 50 on most spirits, regardless of brand or price. Officials acknowledged to TOI that while the system ensures uniform pricing, it has stifled customer choice and discouraged innovation.

Private licences were scrapped in 2022 by the previous AAP government, after its 2021–22 excise policy triggered CBI and Enforcement Directorate probes into alleged irregularities and corruption.

That policy had sought to replace state vends entirely with private retailers in a bid to increase revenues and modernise liquor retail.

Before that, Delhi operated under a hybrid model, which the current BJP-led administration is now considering reviving.

Officials were further cited by TOI as saying that the committee is exploring ways to streamline the availability of premium domestic and international brands.

Many such labels are either in short supply or missing from Delhi’s shelves, pushing consumers to buy from Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Faridabad.

The review will also benchmark excise frameworks in neighbouring states to ensure Delhi remains competitive. A draft of the new policy is expected only after further consultations with stakeholders. Violating the legal drinking age currently attracts penalties under the Delhi Excise Act, 2009.