LiquorRevenue – Delhi Excise Earnings Rise as Wider Brand Availability Boosts Sales
LiquorRevenue – Delhi’s excise department has reported a strong increase in revenue during the first quarter of the financial year, reflecting improved liquor availability across retail outlets and a more stable policy environment.
The Delhi excise department has collected nearly Rs 1,038 crore in revenue during the ongoing June quarter, registering a 17% increase compared to the corresponding period last year. Officials said the growth has largely been driven by the expanded availability of liquor brands at licensed retail stores, giving consumers more options and encouraging higher sales within the national capital.
Revenue Collection Shows Healthy Growth
According to officials, excise revenue for the current June quarter reached around Rs 1,038 crore, up from approximately Rs 885 crore recorded during the same period last year. The department believes that better stock availability and a wider selection of brands have played a significant role in improving overall collections.
The improved performance comes as authorities continue efforts to strengthen the retail liquor market and ensure consumers have access to a broader product range. Officials noted that increased brand registrations have helped retailers maintain better inventories compared to previous years.
Higher Annual Revenue Target for 2026-27
Encouraged by the latest figures, the Delhi government has fixed an excise revenue target of Rs 7,200 crore for the financial year 2026-27. This follows total revenue collection of nearly Rs 7,148 crore during 2025-26, indicating confidence that the department can further improve its financial performance over the coming months.
Officials expect the continued expansion of registered liquor brands to support consumer demand while strengthening the capital’s retail market. A greater variety of products is also expected to improve customer satisfaction and contribute to sustained revenue growth.
Consumer Shift Back to Delhi Retail Stores
One of the key reasons behind the increase in collections is the reduced movement of customers to neighbouring cities such as Noida and Gurugram for liquor purchases. In previous years, many buyers preferred these locations because of their wider product selection and competitive pricing.
With more brands now available in Delhi stores, officials believe a significant number of consumers are choosing to purchase within the city instead. This change has helped Delhi recover part of the market share that had gradually shifted to neighbouring regions.
Stable Policy Supports Market Expansion
Officials also pointed to greater policy stability as an important factor behind the improved performance. Last year, uncertainty surrounding the implementation of excise regulations slowed the registration of new liquor brands, limiting product availability across retail outlets.
That situation has now eased, allowing authorities to accelerate brand registrations and expand the selection offered to consumers. The present excise system continues under the framework that was restored in September 2022 after the Delhi government withdrew its 2021-22 excise policy. Since then, the department has focused on strengthening the existing system while improving retail operations and revenue generation.
As registrations continue to rise and retail availability improves, officials remain optimistic that Delhi’s excise collections will maintain their upward trend throughout the current financial year.