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 Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland,^[2] and Mizoram, as well as the union territory of Lakshadweep. There is partial ban on alcohol in some districts of Manipur.^[3] All other Indian states permit alcohol consumption but fix a legal drinking age, which ranges at different ages per region. In some states the legal drinking age can be different for different types of alcoholic beverage.

In spite of legal restrictions, alcohol consumption in India has risen over 55% over a period of 20 years (according to OECD figures) as the laws are generally not followed in a customer business relationship.^[4][5] The maximum permitted ABV is 45.5%.^[6]

The Prohibition on Alcohol was firstly in 1954 by Morarji Desai who was Chief Minister of Bombay Province. The Prohibition was imposed on the Koli people who were traditional distillers of alcohol or wine in Maharashtra mostly in Dharavi. Kolis of Bombay distilled the alcohol by Jamun, Guava, Orange, Apple and Chikoo. In 1954, Morarji Desai imposed the Prohibition on liquor but there was a strong protest by Koli community and there were rallies far and wide by Koli people. Kolis alleged the Desai that 'This is not a Daru-Bandi, This is Desh-Bandi' because Desai selling the foreign alcohol in state but prohibited our homemade liquor.^[7][8] before the prohibition on alcohol, Kolis of Dharavi manufactured the alcohol legally and when prohibition enacted, commercial alcohol production ceased and Kolis had a virtual monopoly in this area.^[9]

Alcohol is a subject in the State List under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.^[10][11][12] Therefore, the laws governing alcohol vary from state to state.

Liquor in India is generally sold at liquor stores, restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, clubs and discos but not online. Some states, like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, prohibit private parties from owning liquor stores making the state government the sole retailer of alcohol in those states. In some states, liquor may be sold at groceries, departmental stores, banquet halls and/or farm houses. Some tourist areas have special laws allowing the sale of alcohol on beaches and houseboats.^{[citation needed]}

Home delivery of alcoholic beverages is illegal in Delhi.^[13] However, in Delhi home delivery of beer and wine by private vendors and departmental stores is permitted.^{[citation needed]}

The blood alcohol content (BAC) legal limit is 0.03%^[49] or 30 mg alcohol in 100 ml blood.^[50]

On 1 March 2012, the Union Cabinet approved proposed changes to the Motor Vehicle Act. Higher penalties were introduced, including fines from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 and imprisonment from 6 months to 4 years. Different penalties are assessed depending on the blood alcohol content at the time of the offence.^[51]

Dry days are specific days when the sale of alcohol is not allowed. Most of the Indian states observe these days on major national festivals/occasions such as Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October).^[52] Dry days are also observed during elections in India.^[53][54]

• India alcohol related
  • Alcohol prohibition in India
  • Dry Days in India
  • Kasauli Brewery, India's first European-style brewery still in operation
  • Solan brewery
• Alcoholic Indian beverages
  • Beer in India
  • Desi daru
  • Indian-made foreign liquor
  • Indian whisky
  • Lion beer, Asia'a first beer brand
  • Solan No. 1, India's first malt whisky
  • Old Monk, iconic Indian rum
  • Sura