UP tops excise revenue chart again with record collection

Uttar Pradesh has once again emerged as the country’s top performer in excise revenue, registering a record-breaking collection of ₹52,297 crore in 2024–25 — a 15 percent increase over last year’s ₹45,570 crore, Excise Minister Nitin Agarwal announced during a press interaction.

Releasing provisional data on April 3, the minister stated that the state has signed MoUs with 137 companies, targeting a collective investment of ₹39,708 crore in the excise domain, with ₹10,185 crore already realised through on-ground projects.

The minister credited the excise department as a key driver in UP’s progress towards becoming a $1 trillion economy, echoing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision. He also highlighted the state’s position as a leading ethanol producer and its adoption of technology-driven solutions to streamline operations. Notably, no hooch or illicit liquor-related deaths have been reported over the past three years, signalling improved enforcement.

A significant structural reform is also set to be introduced with the rollout of composite liquor shops from 2025–26. These are expected to boost revenue further by catering to the growing demand for Indian-made foreign liquor and brew. Of the state’s 27,308 liquor shops, only 105 remain unallocated. Excise Commissioner Adarsh Singh added that ₹2,319 crore was collected in processing fees from applicants in 2024–25.