UP records ₹51k cr revenue in FY 24-25

Uttar Pradesh has recorded a historic revenue of ₹51,000 crore from liquor sales in 2024-25, more than double than that from 2018-19 where it gathered a revenue of ₹23,927 crore. According to reports, this year’s revenue is being attributed to a revamped excise policy and a transparent online liquor shop lottery system introduced under the Yogi Adityanath government.

The online lottery, held in March-April 2024, offered 27,308 licences across four categories: country liquor, composite liquor (beer + IMFL), cannabis, and model shops. It received an overwhelming 4.18 lakh applications, generating ₹2,000 crore in processing fees alone. Application fees ranged from ₹25,000-₹60,000, depending on the shop type.

Among the most in-demand were composite liquor shops, which now replace 12,500 standalone IMFL and beer shops with 9,362 combined outlets, allowing for greater consumer convenience and business efficiency. For example, one outlet in Greater Noida drew 265 applicants, highlighting intense competition.

Increased liquor demand has also been driven by prohibition in neighbouring Bihar, benefiting border districts, where both country liquor and IMFL sales have nearly tripled, reports added.

The record-breaking revenue and high participation reflect how policy reforms and digital systems have transformed UP’s liquor economy, making it a model of growth and governance in India’s excise landscape.