From April 1, buying liquor and beer in Rajasthan will become more expensive. The state government has increased excise duty and ex-distillery prices, which will lead to a price hike of around 5% to 10%.
The biggest increase will be seen in Indian-made liquor (IMFL), with prices expected to go up by about 8–9%. For bottles priced up to ₹900, consumers may have to pay an extra ₹80 to ₹85.
Liquor produced within Rajasthan will also become costlier by around 8%, while imported or foreign liquor will see a smaller increase of about 2.6%.
Beer Also Gets Costlier
Beer prices are also going up. On average, a bottle or can may cost about ₹5 more. In bulk terms, prices could rise by ₹25 per ₹1,000, and per-can price differences may go up to ₹33.
A 750 ml bottle of IMFL may become ₹15 to ₹20 more expensive, while smaller bottles like quarters and halves could see a price increase of ₹2 to ₹10.
Why Prices Are Increasing
The price hike is expected to boost the state government’s revenue. Over the past 18 months, Rajasthan has collected around ₹3,500 crore from excise duties, showing a growth of 15%. With the new rates, the government aims to generate an additional ₹1,500 crore by 2026.
Liquor remains one of the major sources of income for the state.
Market Impact
Rajasthan currently has 7,665 licensed liquor shops, and 98% of them have already been auctioned for the year, ensuring smooth implementation of the new prices.
In the short term, higher prices may reduce sales slightly, as some consumers could cut back or switch to cheaper brands. However, demand is expected to stabilise over time since alcohol is a regular purchase for many people.
