Liquor permit just got easier in ‘dry state’: Gujarat launches online application system

In the dry state of Gujarat, getting a liquor permit will soon be as easy as a tap on your phone. The state government is introducing a new mobile app to make the process seamless for those who wish to consume alcohol.

With the upcoming mobile app, both domestic and foreign tourists will reportedly be able to obtain a liquor permit in minutes, without paperwork or queues. The new service is expected to launch within a month.

Critics argue that under the pretext of boosting tourism, the government is, in effect, promoting liquor consumption. After GIFT City, authorities are reportedly considering extending similar permissions to the Surat Diamond Bourse, Statue of Unity, and the Rann Utsav in Kutch, among other major tourist attractions, to provide a smoother experience for visitors.

Currently, obtaining a liquor permit in Gujarat involves a meticulous process including visitors must fill out forms, submit identity documents, and apply through licensed liquor outlets in star hotels or resorts. 

To simplify this, the government has now developed a dedicated mobile application that allows users to upload documents such as Aadhaar, make payments online, and receive a digital permit after verification. The permit will allow holders to purchase liquor from authorized hotels and resorts.

The same system will soon be implemented in GIFT City, where employees and tourists are already allowed to consume alcohol. With the mobile app—available in English, Hindi, and Gujarati—they too will be able to obtain permits online. The app has already undergone trial runs, and within the next 15 days, liquor permits are expected to go fully digital.

According to the government, the initiative aims to make the process convenient and tourist-friendly.

The Gujarat government has introduced an app-based system to ensure that visitors and locals alike no longer face any hassle in obtaining liquor permits.

Liquor permits issued in major Gujarat cities (past two years)