The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a new excise policy which will see an increase in the prices of indigenous liquor effective April 1. This decision was approved in a cabinet meeting aimed at boosting revenue, making the distribution system more transparent, and regulating liquor shops in urban areas. According to the new rates, the price for a bottle of indigenous liquor with 36% alcohol content will rise from 165 rupees to 173 rupees, resulting in an increase of approximately 5 to 8 rupees per bottle. However, English liquor pricing remains unchanged, although their licensing fees will increase by 7.5%.

The government's strategy includes setting a significant revenue target for the excise department, amounting to 71,278 crore rupees for the fiscal year 2026-27. To achieve this revenue target, several structural changes have been made in the policy. One major change includes reducing the quota of indigenous liquor shops in urban areas to curb uncontrolled expansion. This shift reflects the government's focus on enhancing regulation and maintaining better oversight of liquor distribution in cities.

The decisions taken by the Uttar Pradesh government indicate a move towards enhancing transparency and control within the liquor industry, especially in urban regions. As these new measures are implemented, the impacts on local consumers and the liquor market will be closely monitored, particularly how the new pricing structure affects consumption patterns and the alcohol retail landscape in the state.