Karnataka Excise Revenue Touches ₹587.51 Crore During New Year Festivities, Registers Sharp Ri

Bangalore Mail News Bureau

Bangalore | January 2

The Karnataka government recorded a significant surge in excise revenue during the New Year celebrations, collecting ₹587.51 crore from liquor sales over the three-day festive period from December 29 to 31, 2025. The figure marks a substantial increase of ₹166.74 crore compared to the same period last year, reflecting higher consumer demand and robust sales across the state.

According to official data, revenue from the sale of Indian Made Liquor (IML) and beer during the period stood at ₹587.51 crore, up from ₹420.77 crore collected during the corresponding days in December 2024. This translates into a notable year-on-year growth of 39.63 per cent in excise collections.

Sales volumes also witnessed a sharp rise. The state sold 9.84 lakh boxes of Indian Made Liquor during the three-day period, an increase of 1.59 lakh boxes compared to last year. Beer sales registered an even steeper jump, with 6.64 lakh boxes sold, up by 1.61 lakh boxes from the 2024 New Year period.

Excise department officials attributed the surge to extended celebrations, higher footfall at licensed outlets, and increased consumption ahead of New Year’s Eve. The growth in both IML and beer sales underscores the festive-driven spike in demand, particularly in urban centres such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Hubballi-Dharwad.

The strong New Year collections provide a positive boost to the state’s revenue outlook. For the 2025–26 financial year, the Karnataka government has set an ambitious excise revenue target of ₹40,000 crore, with liquor sales remaining one of the key contributors to the state’s own tax revenues.

With festive seasons traditionally accounting for a sizeable share of excise income, officials remain optimistic that sustained sales momentum could help Karnataka stay on track to meet its annual revenue target.