Tamil Nadu's Crackdown on Underage Drinking: New Regulations Enforced

Tamil Nadu has reinforced the legal drinking age of 21 and ordered the closure of 717 liquor outlets to curb alcohol consumption among minors. The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation will implement ID checks and may reduce shop hours, affecting state revenue from liquor sales.

In an effort to reduce underage drinking, the Tamil Nadu government has reiterated the legal age of 21 for purchasing and consuming alcohol.

In addition, 717 liquor outlets will be closed across the state, focusing on those near schools, places of worship, and bus stations, thereby reducing the total outlets to 4,048.

Strict ID checks will be implemented, and there are considerations to cut operational hours from 10 pm to 8 pm. This move comes after 2025 saw the state earn Rs 48,344 crore from liquor sales, making it the second highest source of revenue.