Legal Drinking Age And Penalties By State | Alcohol Laws Of India

India is the world’s third-largest market for alcoholic beverages. One in seven Indians in the 10-75 age group uses alcohol. Rapid urbanisation, rising income, easy availability, and changing attitudes towards alcohol and lifestyle are contributing to growing consumption in India.

Read below this article to learn about underage drinking punishment, legal drinking age, drinking laws in India, and the legal drinking age in India.

Underage Drinking In India

In India, underage drinking is very common. Be it buying from shops or going to clubs and drinking, underage people easily get access to fake IDs that, if not checked properly, will go unnoticed because it is a fake IDs.

The legal drinking age in India varies between 18 and 25, depending on the state. Despite this alcohol consumption age, there is still a growing trend of drinking among teenagers. Teenagers can be easily influenced and can be vulnerable to alcohol. They might try it out because of peer pressure, social media influence, rebellion, etc.

Adolescence is a very delicate stage where children are very vulnerable and easily influenced. It is important to take strict measures to prevent underage drinking and to have adolescents follow the legal alcohol consumption age. Right-from-home parents have to teach their children about underage drinking and how not to be easily influenced to drink.

Read More: New Driving License Rules 2024: No Need To Visit RTO For Driving Test Anymore!

Drinking Laws In India

There are no stringent drinking laws in India that supervise the activity of youth or the consumption of alcohol by a minor. Section 77 of the juvenile justice system serves to punish the person who sells drugs, tobacco, or any intoxicating substance. Under Section 29, selling or serving drinks to minors or underage persons has to pay a fine of Rs 500. However, the rules like legal drinking limit are hardly abided by anyone. There is no supervision over the sale of alcohol.

Causes Of Underage Drinking In India

Underage drinking is often driven by peer pressure, the desire to feel mature, low self-esteem, and coping with stress or mental health issues. Media influence and a lack of strict supervision also contribute to the problem. Below points mentioned below explain the things in detail:-

• Peer Pressure: To be socially included or to conform to a particular group in their everyday lives.

• Desire to Feel Mature: Intending to look older and more independent.

• Low Self-Esteem: Alcohol consumption for increasing confidence and enhancing the popularity of the brands.

• Coping Mechanism: Drinking alcohol in response to stress or other mental health problems.

Drinking Alcohol Law In India

The legal drinking age differs by state, ranging from 18 to 25 years. States have the authority to regulate alcohol as it falls under the State List in the Indian Constitution. Below points mentioned below explain the things in detail:-

Legal Drinking Age

• Different for different states, where some states may fix different ages for different drinks.

Prohibition of Alcohol

• Several states do not allow alcohol; these include Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland and Mizoram.

• Partial bans are found somewhere in Manipur.

Penalty For Underage Drinking

• First Offence: Catching someone drinking liquor in the prohibited area carries a fine of ₹2,000–₹5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 90 days.

• Repeat Offence: ₹ 5,000 – ₹ 10,000 fine along with imprisonment up to 180 days.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we know that different states have different rules and restrictions imposed on alcohol consumption and purchase, be it the legal drinking age or flat-out barring it from even being sold. By keeping ourselves, teenagers, and people educated about the drinking laws in India, we can promote a safer environment where people deemed responsible are the ones who consume alcohol. This way, they can be held accountable in the case of things going wrong, rather than creating unnecessary controversy in the cases of drunk driving, taking away dire attention from the victims of said cases.

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