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Nobody likes dry days. It is such a mood spoiler and also a party spoiler. If you had a hard week, and finally you found a holiday to chill with your friends. Have a party, and get tipsy. But you just came to know it is a dry day. I can’t think of a bigger nightmare than this. so here is the list of all the dry days in 2021. so that you never fail to have fun at a party.
First of all, am I the only one who feels like Saturdays and Sundays pass like a jet plane? Well, I am sure you feel the same. even if we survive through our schedule looking up to the weekends to come. So when you are all set to put on your party shoes, blingy outfit, and have a blast with your friends, the last thing you want to worry about is “is it dry day today?”. The question is a total spoiler. And if your friend group is like mine with the least general awareness, don’t worry we are here to rescue you. We won’t let your party plans to got In vein.
In this article, we have listed down all the dry days in India. This dry day list India comprises the state-wise dry day as well as the month-wise dry day list.
what is dry day?
A dry day is a day when alcohol selling is prohibited. Generally observed on some specific days in India. When you can not find liquor anywhere, as the liquor shops are closed. Anyway, the Indian government declared these days as dry days. To uphold the sentiments of common people on a national holiday or religious holiday. For example, national holidays like republic day – 26th January, independence day – 15th August, and Gandhi Jayanti – 2nd October is a dry day.
Some religious festivals like Eid and Muharram also come under the dry day list. Every month has two or more dry days. So while planning for a night out, party, or holiday you need to know what these days are. After all, you can stock up if there is a dry day coming in between your plans. Also, there is no prohibition on the consumption of alcohol on dry days. Moreover, some of the 5-star restaurant pubs and resorts serve alcohol on dry days too.
Why India has dry days?
Even though India is a developing country and modernization is happening rapidly there. The consumption of alcohol is still not very e acceptable in Indian society. Indian traditions and culture do not promote the consumption of alcohol. However, there might be some orthodox mindset. But the upper-middle class and Elite class people have normalized the consumption of alcohol among their peers.
For a fact, according to WHO, the per capita consumption rate of alcohol in India is increasing day by day. Even from the last decade, the per capita conjunction of alcohol has doubled. Approximately, 30% of the Indian population is Muslim. In Islam, the consumption of alcohol is completely banned and it is considered Haram. This might be another reason why Indian people do not promote the consumption of alcohol. As a result, The increasing rate of consumption of alcohol and the discrepancy caused by it is one of the reasons to ban alcohol in some parts of the country.
Yes, you heard it right. Some States in India have completely banned the production storing selling, and consumption of any kind of alcoholic drink. So which are the states that banned alcohol and when?
The dry States of India
Bihar
The state of Bihar has completely banned alcohol since April 4th, 2016. Even if you are a tourist you do not have permission to consume alcohol. In addition to that, carrying alcohol from other states to Bihar will put you in trouble and you might have to pay a penalty too. Even though some other states have alcohol Ban to too but the Bihar model is the strictest one. As in some other states, you can buy alcohol on special permission if you are a tourist and non-residential of that state.
Gujarat
Gujarat is one of the earliest states that banned alcohol. State of Gujarat Banned alcohol in 1960. Since then the production storage selling on the consumption of alcohol is not allowed in Gujarat.
However, if you are a tourist and want to have alcohol during your trip. You need to get a permit from the Gujarat government. Anyway, there is a portal of the Gujarat government where you have to fill up a form. There they ask you about your trip details. If you are traveling by plane or train you have to show your ticket details. However, if you are traveling by car or by road then also you have to show the toll details. In addition to that, You need to submit your identity proof details. This is to ensure that you are not a resident of Gujarat.
Anyhow, this permit is valid for seven days only. Firstly, they have proper guidelines for buying alcohol. Secondly, you will get it from some specific shops located at some specific locations. There you have to show so your permit and buy alcohol. Despite having the permit, you cannot buy as much alcohol as you want. The amount is different for different alcohols.
Gujarat government online portal for alcohol permit: http://eps.gpeonline.co.in/
Kerala
At first, in 2014 the United Democratic Front Government imposed a ban on alcohol to sell. But in 2017 when the left Democratic Front government came to power they lifted the ban. However, the cause they showed was that the state was suffering from heavy losses. Hence, the in-state revenue had a sharp decrease, and in the tourism industry too. So currently Kerala is not a dry state. And as a result, they serve alcohol in most of the hotels, resorts, bars, and airports.
This is one of the major reasons why States do not when the sales of alcohol. Because a major part of the Indian population consumes alcohol and banning alcohol completely will drop their revenue significantly. For the tourism industry, this also has what’s adverse effects. Because if you are promoting tourism you need to fulfill the requirements of tourists too. However, the Kerala government has planned to ban liquor within the next 10 years.
Karnataka
Firstly, Karnataka is not a dry state. But Arrack is banned here. Karnataka government banned it since July 1st, 2007. Rockstar Levantine unsweetened distilled spirit that is generally produced in the south Indian subcontinent. However, the locals make it by fermenting the sugar cane flowers, grains like red rice, or fruit. Anyhow, the type of fruit depends on the season or origin of the country. Other than India Indonesia Philippines Sri Lanka Sweden and Finland produce arrack.
Maharastra
Although, Maharashtra is not a dry state of the country. The government has given rights to the districts to ban alcohol entirely from districts. As a result, three major districts of Maharashtra have banned alcohol. They are Vardha Gadchiroli and Chandrapur. These districts do not manufacture are sell alcohol. However, in Maharashtra, there is an ambiguous rule. Even to obtain a liquor license from a government civil hospital if you want to consume alcohol. This law is not enforced properly.
Manipur
Manipur has a partial prohibition on alcohol since 2002 in the district of Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal.
Mizoram
The state of Mizoram has banned alcohol since 2019.
Nagaland
The States of Nagaland has completely banned the sale and consumption of alcohol since 1989.
List of dry day in india 2021
January
- 14 January: Makar Sankranti
- 26 January: Republic Day
- 30 January: Mahatma Gandhi Death Anniversary, aka Shaheed Diwas
February
- 19 February: Chhatrapati Shivaji Mahavir Jayanti
- 27 February: Guru Nanak Jayanti
March
- 8 March: Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti
- 11March: Maha Shivratri
- 29 March: Holi
April
- 2 April: Good Friday
- 14 April: Ambedkar Jayanti
- 21 April: Ram Navami
- 25 April: Mahavir Jayanti
May
- 12 May: Eid Ul Fitr (begins)
- 13 May: Eid Ul Fitr (ends)
June
Put your party shoes on and get ready to get all tipsy, as there is no dry days in June.
July
There are no dry days on July too except few states.
August
- August 10: Muharram
September
- September 10: Ganesh Chaturthi
October
- 2 October: Gandhi Jayanti
- 15 October: Dussehra
- 18 October: Eid-e-Milad
- 20 October: Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
November
- 4 November: Diwali
- 14 November: Kartik Ekadashi
- 19 November: Guru Nanak Jayanti
December
- December 25: Christmas
These days are the national dry day that means is applicable for all the states. Not only the states but the union territories of India also have these dry days. Other than these days some States have dry days based on some local festivals. We have created State-wise dry day list. These days are dry days in addition to the above list.
Also Read:Top 10 Best Vodka Brands In India
State-wise dry day list
Maharashtra
- May 1: Maharashtra day
- July 20: Ashadi Ekadashi
- July 24: Guru Purnima
- September 19: anant chaturdashi
- October 8:prohibition week
Delhi
- July 24: guru Purnima
- November 24: guru Tegh bahadur’s martyrdom day
Chennai
- May 1: May Day
- July 31: eid al-Adha
Alcohol laws in India
The subject of alcohol comes under the state laws under the seventh schedule of the Constitution of India. Hence, alcohol law varies from state to state in India.
- To sell alcohol in India you need to have a permit. The stores, restaurants, hotels, or Resorts that sell or serve alcohol need a license to sell alcohol. even there are some states that need a license to consume alcohol.
Drinking Laws in India
- The legal drinking age in India is 21 but the purchasing age of alcohol is 18. However, some states have a legal drinking age of 25 like Punjab and Haryana.
- Drinking and driving are strictly prohibited in India. The blood alcohol content should be less than 0.03% or 30 mg alcohol in 100 ml of Blood. This comes under the motor vehicle act approved by Union Cabinet on March 1st, 2012. Hence, on violating these rules there are higher penalties comprising finds from 2000 rupees to 10000 rupees or imprisonment of 6 months to 4 years.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)
Do bars serve alcohol on dry days?
Some bars may serve alcohol on dry days depending on the state.
Which state drinks the most alcohol in India?
The state of Assam consumes the highest amount of alcohol in India.
Do five-star hotels serving alcohol on dry days?
Dry day rules is not applicable on 5 star hotels clubs and resorts so some pig hotels may serve alcohol on dry days
Why do we have dry days?
We generally have dry days on the the national holidays which uplifts the glory of our democracy. Such as Republic Day Independence Day aur on religious festivals. To uplift the sentiments of Indian nationals we we have dry days on such festivals.
Can we carry alcohol in Indian Railways?
No, you cannot carry alcohol in Indian Railways. Railway act 1989 says that no one can carry any alcoholic product or any intoxication on the property. Any property owned by the railway authorities that include trains, the railway platform, and the station premises too should be free from intoxications.
Which country drinks the most alcohol?
France consumes the highest amount of alcohol than any other country.
Is alcohol banned in India?
No alcohol is not entirely banned in India to stop some states like Bihar Gujarat Mizoram and Nagaland has prohibited the consumption of alcohol in their state. However, if you are not a resident of Gujarat you can get a permit to buy liquor in Gujarat.
Is 25th December a dry day?
Yes, 25th December on Christmas is a dry day in India.
