Which states in India consume the most alcohol? The latest data gives a clear picture—and some surprising results—about drinking patterns across the country.
Based on data from the Reserve Bank of India and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India is the ninth-largest alcohol consumer in the world. However, consumption varies widely from state to state.
Alcohol is also a major source of income for state governments. Since it is not covered under GST, it is taxed through state excise duties. Because of this, excise revenue is often used to estimate the size of alcohol markets in different states.
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Here’s a simple look at the top five alcohol-consuming states based on excise revenue:
1. Uttar Pradesh – ₹31,517 crore
Uttar Pradesh leads by a huge margin. Its large population, growing retail network, and strong demand make it the biggest contributor to alcohol revenue in India.
According to NFHS data, about 14.6% of men and 0.3% of women (above 15 years) consume alcohol in the state.
2. Karnataka – ₹20,950 crore
Karnataka ranks second, driven by strong demand in cities like Bengaluru and an organised distribution system.
Around 16.5% of men and 0.9% of women consume alcohol here.
3. Maharashtra – ₹17,477 crore
Maharashtra’s high revenue comes from major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik. Demand remains strong across both premium and regular alcohol segments.
About 13.9% of men and 0.4% of women consume alcohol in the state.
4. Madhya Pradesh – ₹11,873 crore
Madhya Pradesh has a strong mix of rural and urban demand, leading to steady liquor sales.
NFHS data shows around 17% of men and 1% of women consume alcohol.
5. Tamil Nadu – ₹7,262 crore
Tamil Nadu remains one of the largest alcohol-consuming states, although its revenue appears lower due to its state-controlled retail system, managed by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation.
It has one of the highest male consumption rates, with about 25.4% of men drinking alcohol.
Why aren’t Goa and Delhi on the list?
Goa has very high alcohol consumption per person, but its small population keeps total sales low.
Delhi, despite being a major urban market, does not match the overall volume of larger states due to factors like pricing, taxes, and smaller population size.
What do these rankings mean?
These rankings reflect the size of the alcohol market in each state—not just how many people drink.
Higher excise revenue usually indicates a combination of large population, strong demand, and an efficient retail system. It does not directly show how frequently people consume alcohol.
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