Dehradun. Bad news for those buying alcohol for consumption in Uttarakhand, as this news will directly impact your pocket. The state government has made a significant amendment to the Excise Policy 2025-26, approving the imposition of a 12% extra VAT on the excise duty on liquor. Following this decision, liquor prices in the state are set to increase further compared to the current rates. According to sources, the new rates will be implemented on all types of liquor bottles by December 15th. Following this, the prices of domestic, foreign, beer, and premium liquor available in the market will see a direct increase.
How expensive will liquor become?
The 12% additional VAT imposed by the government will directly impact consumers’ pockets. It is estimated that prices will increase by ₹40 to ₹100 per bottle. The increase may be even higher for premium and imported brands. Beer and IMFL prices are also expected to rise significantly. The Excise Department believes that this move will significantly boost the state’s revenue.
Revenue Boosting Strategy
In fact, the Uttarakhand government has been focusing on increasing excise revenue for the past few years. According to officials, as a tourist state, revenue from liquor sales is a significant component of the state’s budget. The new policy is expected to generate additional revenue of crores of rupees annually for the government.
