Jammu: The number of liquor shops across seven excise ranges in Jammu and Kashmir has increased significantly since 2021, with the combined count rising from 118 in 2021-22 to 180 in 2025-26, an increase of nearly 53%, according to data obtained from the Excise Department under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The figure stood at 183 by August 2026 across the seven ranges covered by the RTI responses.
The data, however, does not indicate an increase in the overall number of retail liquor vends across Jammu and Kashmir. The Excise Department had stated in March 2025 that the total number of JKEL-2 retail liquor vends remained at 305 from 2023-24, comprising 291 outlets in the Jammu division and 14 in Kashmir. The latest range-wise figures therefore reflect changes in the distribution of shops within individual excise jurisdictions rather than an increase in the overall sanctioned retail-vend count.
Among the seven ranges covered by the RTI data, City Excise Range, North Jammu recorded the highest number of liquor shops, increasing from 68 in 2021-22 to 84 in 2025-26. In Kathua, the number of shops increased from 15 to 31, while the Rajouri-Poonch range saw the count rise from 13 to 26. The Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range also recorded substantial growth, with the number of shops increasing from 12 in 2021-22 to 23 in 2025-26.
The RTI responses also show changes in liquor retail presence across Kashmir. The Srinagar-Budgam-Ganderbal range reported an increase from 10 shops in 2021 to 16 in 2025, with the number remaining at 16 as of August 15, 2026. The Baramulla-Kupwara-Bandipora range had no reported liquor shop in 2021, but the number increased to four in 2023 and remained at four through 2024, 2025 and 2026. The Anantnag-Pulwama-Shopian-Kulgam range similarly reported no shop in 2021 but had two from 2023 onwards.
→ Andhra Pradesh to Hold Draw of Lots for Unrenewed Liquor Shop Licences on September 30; Deadline for Renewal Set at September 21→ Udit Sethi Drives the Transformation of Mumbai’s Alcobev Retail with Hops Cork
The rise in the number of outlets across these ranges has coincided with an increase in excise revenue. The combined revenue reported by the seven ranges increased from approximately Rs 381.6 crore in 2021-22 to around Rs 612 crore in 2025-26, based on figures provided by the respective Excise and Taxation Officers.
North Jammu recorded the highest revenue among the ranges, with collections increasing from Rs 173.89 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 237.94 crore in 2025-26. Kathua’s revenue rose from Rs 69.02 crore to Rs 100.19 crore, while Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban recorded an increase from Rs 35.43 crore to Rs 60.84 crore. In Kashmir, Srinagar-Budgam-Ganderbal reported revenue of Rs 81.68 crore in 2025, compared with Rs 59.51 crore in 2021. Baramulla-Kupwara-Bandipora reported Rs 5.64 crore in 2025, while the Anantnag range recorded Rs 9.03 crore.
The 2026 figures provided under the RTI are only available up to August 15 or August 31, depending on the excise range, and therefore cannot be directly compared with full-year figures from previous years.
The Excise Department has maintained that its policy is not aimed at encouraging indiscriminate consumption of intoxicants, but at regulatin
About the Author
