If you or your friends usually head to Gurugram to buy liquor at cheaper rates, that convenience might not last much longer. The Delhi government is reportedly planning to align the city’s liquor prices with those of neighboring NCR regions — particularly Gurugram — in an effort to introduce uniform pricing, especially for premium brands.
Officials recently held a meeting focused on the capital’s upcoming liquor policy, which is expected to be more transparent and socially accountable. According to reports, discussions revolved around key policy points like the fixed retail margin, excise duty, and the legal drinking age for beer. The excise department’s committee is working on drafting the framework, which is likely to be unveiled next month.
Why Are Delhi’s Liquor Prices Higher?
One of the main reasons behind the price difference between Delhi and Gurugram is the fixed retail margin rule that Delhi imposes on liquor sales. At present, retailers in Delhi are capped at earning Rs 50 per bottle for Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and Rs 100 per bottle for imported brands. Gurugram, on the other hand, does not follow such restrictions.
In Gurugram, traders pay hefty fees during license auctions — often starting from Rs 20 crore and going higher — but enjoy the flexibility to decide their own discounts and pricing strategies. This allows them to offer more competitive rates to customers and promote heavy discounting on popular brands. For example, a premium whisky such as Black Label that sells for around Rs 3,500 in Delhi might retail for nearly Rs 2,400 in Gurugram.
What’s Next for Delhi’s Drinkers?
Another concern under review is the limited availability of premium labels in Delhi compared to NCR cities. The government aims to make Delhi’s liquor market more balanced and appealing by encouraging broader brand availability, fair competition, and stricter regulation.
Once the final draft of the new liquor policy is approved, it could significantly reshape the city’s liquor trade dynamics — potentially reducing the need for cross-border buying trips to Gurugram.
