The Chandigarh Administration has approved the new Excise Policy for the year 2026–27. The policy aims at strengthening regulatory oversight, improving ease of doing business, ensuring better enforcement, and safeguarding government revenue. The major provisions of the policy are as follows:

Reserve Price of Licensing Units: A total of 97 retail sale liquor vends will operate in the city. The total reserve price for licensing units for the Excise Policy Year 2026–27 has been fixed at ₹454.35 crore.

Marginal Increase in EDP: A marginal increase of up to 2% in Ex-Distillery Price (EDP) has been proposed for Country Liquor, IMFL, Indian Beer and Indian Wines, considering inflation and rising raw material costs. This increase will not apply to Imported Wines, Imported Beer and Imported Foreign Liquor (IFL). Any proposal for increase in EDP/EBP will be considered only after completion of the first quarter of the Excise Policy Year 2026–27, subject to uninterrupted supply of brands.

Ease of Doing Business – Bonded Warehouses: The requirement that Custom Approved Bonded Warehouses must be located within UT Chandigarh for obtaining L-1F and L-1DF licences has been relaxed. Such warehouses may now be located anywhere in India, and the requirement of one year prior experience has also been removed.

Registration of Bonded Warehouses: To ensure proper enforcement, all Custom Approved Bonded Warehouses operating in UT Chandigarh will be required to register on the Excise Portal and submit monthly details of import and export consignments on the portal by the 7th day of the succeeding month.

No Change in Retail Quota: The quota of Country Liquor, IMFL and IFL for retail licensing units has been kept unchanged, maintaining a revenue-neutral position compared to the Excise Policy Year 2025–26.

Re-introduction of L-10B Licence: The L-10B licence will be reintroduced to allow sale of liquor through organized departmental stores, enhancing consumer convenience, particularly for women, senior citizens and other consumers.

Definition of Family: A clear definition of “family” has been introduced in the policy to avoid ambiguity and potential litigation.

Revision in Security Amount: The security amount for retail vend licensees has been increased to 17% of the bid amount.

Licence Fee Payment: Retail liquor vend licensees will pay the licence fee along with applicable interest once by the 15th of the succeeding month, replacing the earlier system of two instalments.

Strict Enforcement for Non-Payment: In case of failure to deposit the required licence fee, the concerned L-2/L-14A licence as well as all other licences held by the licensee may be cancelled, and recovery proceedings will be initiated as per law.

Procurement by Bar Licensees: Bar licensees will procure liquor from the nearest two retail vends (L-2/L-14A). If both vends belong to the same entity, procurement may be made from the third nearest vend.

CCTV Monitoring: Installation of CCTV cameras at additional godowns of retail vends will be mandatory, with provision for live feed access to the Department.

Stricter Compliance Measures: Provisions related to advertisement of liquor by licensees have been made more stringent, and non-compliance will attract penalties. Provisions regarding installation of CCTV cameras at bottling plants have also been strengthened.

Bottling Plant Operations: Working days for bottling plants have been increased from five to six days (Monday to Saturday), with provision for overtime operations on gazetted holidays.

Security Arrangements: Security personnel will be deputed at bottling plants and CCTV control rooms, with salaries borne by the Department.

Cow Cess: Cow Cess will continue at existing rates, i.e. ₹0.50 per bottle of 750 ml Country Liquor, ₹0.50 per bottle of 650 ml Beer, and ₹1 per bottle of 750/700 ml Whisky.

GPS Tracking of Transport Vehicles: All vehicles used for transportation of liquor for import, export or local supply must be equipped with GPS tracking systems.

Retail Vends in Government Premises: Where retail vends operate in government or administration-owned premises, the licensee will pay rent directly to the concerned department and complete all related formalities.

Minimum Retail Price of Beer: The minimum retail sale price of beer will be revised and fixed range-wise based on EBP.

These measures aim to strengthen regulation, enhance transparency, facilitate trade, and ensure stable revenue generation for the UT Administration while maintaining consumer convenience.