Delhi Considers Lowering Legal Beer Drinking Age to 21 Amid Excise Policy Review

The Delhi government is considering lowering the legal age for drinking beer from 25 to 21, according to officials familiar with ongoing policy discussions. The proposal was discussed earlier this week at a high-level meeting attended by PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, other cabinet members, senior excise officials, and representatives from the liquor industry. The move is part of a broader review of Delhi’s excise policy and aims to bring the city’s regulations in line with neighboring states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, where the legal drinking age is already 21.

Officials say that reducing the minimum age for beer consumption could help curb black-market sales and protect state revenue. Currently, many young adults travel to nearby cities like Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad to purchase alcohol legally at a younger age. This cross-border movement not only affects Delhi’s tax collections but also encourages unregulated sales within the city.

The committee also discussed the possibility of reintroducing private liquor outlets under a hybrid system that would combine government-run stores with privately operated ones. At present, only state-run shops are allowed to sell alcohol in Delhi. Private licenses were withdrawn in 2022 after the previous excise policy led to investigations by central agencies into alleged irregularities. That policy, introduced in 2021, had shifted retail sales almost entirely to private vendors before being rolled back.

Industry representatives argue that a mixed model offers more stability and variety for consumers. They point out that access to premium national and international liquor brands is often limited in Delhi, prompting customers to seek these products in neighboring states. Officials say that improving availability of such brands is also being considered as part of the policy overhaul.

Currently, four state corporations operate all liquor vends in Delhi. Each outlet receives a fixed profit margin of Rs 50 per bottle regardless of brand or price. While this system ensures uniformity across outlets, it has been criticized for limiting innovation and consumer choice.

The government plans to benchmark its revised excise policy against those of neighboring states before making any final announcements. The review process will include studying how other states manage their retail models and set their legal drinking ages.

Violating the legal drinking age remains punishable under the Delhi Excise Act of 2009. Any changes to the law would require formal amendments and public notification before coming into effect.

The discussions come at a time when Delhi’s liquor market is under close scrutiny following recent controversies over excise policies and licensing practices. The current BJP-led administration appears focused on restoring confidence among both consumers and industry stakeholders while ensuring that state revenues are protected.

No timeline has been set for when a final decision will be made or when any new rules might take effect. However, officials indicate that further meetings are planned as part of the ongoing review process. The outcome could have significant implications for how alcohol is sold and consumed in India’s capital city.