State/ Union Territory |
Legal Age of Alcohol Consumption (in years) |
Legislation/Acts |
Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
18 |
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Excise Regulation, 2012 (S. 24, Excise Policy Rule 14) |
Andhra Pradesh |
21 |
The Andhra Pradesh (Regulation of Wholesale Trade and Distribution and Retail Trade in Indian Liquor, Foreign Liquor, Wine and Beer) Act, 1993
Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 (S. 36) |
Arunachal Pradesh |
21 |
The Arunachal Pradesh Excise Act, 1993 (S. 42) |
Assam |
21 |
Assam Excise Rule, 1945 (Rule 241 and 5.10) |
Bihar |
Illegal |
Bihar Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (S. 19(4)) |
Chandigarh |
25 |
Punjab Excise Act, 1914 (S. 29) |
Chhattisgarh |
21 |
The Chattisgarh Excise Act, 1915 (S. 23) |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli |
21 |
The Dadra and Nagar Haveli Excise Regulation, 2012 (S. 24) |
Daman and Diu |
21 |
The Goa, Daman and Diu Excise Duty Act and Rules, 1964 (S. 19) |
Delhi |
25 |
Delhi Excise Act, 2010 (S. 23)
Delhi Liquor License Rules, 1976 |
Goa |
21 |
The Goa Excise Duty Act and Rules, 1964 (S. 19) |
Gujarat |
Illegal |
Bombay Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2009 |
Haryana |
25 |
Punjab Excise Act, 1914 (S. 29) |
Himachal Pradesh |
18 |
The Himachal Pradesh Liquor License Rules, 1986 (Rule 16) |
Jammu and Kashmir |
21 |
Jammu and Kashmir Excise Act, 1958 (S. 50-B)
Jammu and Kashmir Liquor License and Sales Rules, 1984 (Rule 11) |
Jharkhand |
21 |
The Bihar & Orissa Excise Act, 1915 (S. 54) |
Karnataka |
21 |
Karnataka Excise Department, 1967 |
Kerala |
18 |
Abkary Act, (1 of 1077) (S. 15A and 15B) |
Lakshadweep |
Illegal |
N/A |
Madhya Pradesh |
21 |
The Madhya Pradesh Excise Act, 1915 (S. 23) |
Maharashtra |
Wine - No Limit
Beer - 21
Others - 25 |
Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 (Part VI A Rule 70D) |
Manipur |
Illegal |
The Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991 |
Meghalaya |
25 |
Eastern Bengal and Assam Act, 1910 |
Mizoram |
18 |
Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Bill, 2014 (S. 58) |
Nagaland |
Illegal |
Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989 |
Orissa |
21 |
Odhisha Excise Act, 2005 (S. 61) |
Puducherry |
18 |
Pondicherry Excise Act, 1970 (S. 35) |
Punjab |
25 |
Punjab Excise Act, 1914 (S. 29) |
Rajasthan |
18 |
Rajasthan Excise Act, 1950 (S. 22) |
Sikkim |
18 |
The Sikkim Home Guards Bill, 1992 (S. 20) |
Tamil Nadu |
21 |
Tamil Nadu Liquor (License and Permit) Rules, 1981 (S. 25 Rule XV) |
Telangana |
21 |
Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 (S. 36) (until new law is enforced) |
Tripura |
21 |
The Tripura Excise Act, 1987 (S. 53) |
Uttar Pradesh |
21 |
United Provinces Excise Act, 1910 (S. 23) |
Uttarakhand |
21 |
United Provinces Excise Act, 1910
Uttaranchal (Uttar Pradesh Excise Act, 1910) (S. 23)
(no separate law for Uttarakhand) |
West Bengal |
21 |
Bengal Excise Act, 1909 (S. 51) |