Can you drink wine in India, and what are the laws around drinking in public?
Drinking wine and alcohol in general is largely permitted in India although some states are dry
INDIA’S regulations about alcohol are subject to the State List, which effectively means the laws change from state to state.
The rules can vary widely from alcohol consumption being prohibited to even the legal age you are allowed to drink varies widely.
Can you drink wine in India?
You can.
But in the states of Bihar, Gujarat and Nagaland there is a ban on alcohol as well as some parts of Manipur.
On the other states the legal age you are allowed to drink is generally 21 but in a handful of states, such as Delhi, the age is 25.
In Goa it is 18.
In Maharashtra it has different ages for different drinks. At 18 you can drink wine but you have to wait until you are 21 before you can drink beer. Then you have to be 25 to drink anything else.
There are various "dry days" when the sale of alcohol is not permitted.
Most states observe these days which are usually national festivals such as Republic Day, January 26.
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What are the laws around drinking in public?
Alcohol can be bought in a number of places, like India’s equivalent of off-licences as well as hotels, restaurants and bars.
In some states, like Kerala, only the government is allowed to run off-licences.
But in some areas alcohol can be sold at grocery stores or even farm houses.
Some tourist areas permit alcohol being sold on beaches or boats.
Which are the Dry States in India?
- Gujarat:
- Lakshadweep:
- Manipur:
- Mizoram:
- Nagaland:
- Dry Days:
- Kerala:
Which are the Dry Dates in India
Dry Days are specific days when it's illegal to sell alcohol.
These include Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15) and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2).
Dry days are also observed on and around voting days.