Karnataka Excise Revenue Rises as Beer Sales Jump Over 41%
According to official data released by the Excise Department, the state collected a record Rs 22,191.63 crore in excise revenue during the first half of the financial year.
Amid ongoing discussions over the Karnataka government’s financial position, the State Excise Department has released its half-yearly revenue report, revealing a significant increase in liquor sales during the first six months of the 2026-27 financial year. Karnataka Excise Revenue Rises as Beer Sales Jump Over 41%.
The sharp rise in sales has generated record revenue for the state exchequer. According to official data released by the Excise Department, the state collected a record Rs 22,191.63 crore in excise revenue during the first half of the financial year.
This represents a 13.39% increase compared to the corresponding period last year, with the government’s revenue rising by approximately Rs 2,621.40 crore. A closer look at the sales figures shows that beer recorded exceptional growth during the six-month period.
Despite drought conditions prevailing across several parts of the state, consumer demand for beer remained remarkably strong. A total of 275.96 lakh cases of beer were sold, marking a massive 41.32% increase over the same period last year. Beer sales alone generated Rs 3,377.88 crore in taxes and duties for the state government.
Meanwhile, sales of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) also registered steady growth. During the first six months of the financial year, 346.83 lakh cases of IMFL were sold across Karnataka. Of this, 175.14 lakh cases were sold during the first quarter, while 171.69 lakh cases were sold in the following three months.
Although IMFL sales volume increased by a modest 1.14% compared to the previous year, it continued to account for the largest share of excise revenue. The state earned Rs 17,424.57 crore from IMFL sales alone, an increase of Rs 2,048.35 crore over the corresponding period last year.
Overall, the strong performance of liquor sales during the first half of the financial year has provided a significant boost to Karnataka’s revenue, strengthening the state’s finances through higher excise collections.
