As Karnataka moves towards a new ‘Alcohol in Beverage’ (AIB) policy with respect to excise taxation, prices of whiskey, gin, rum and other beverages with higher alcohol content – majorly consumed by people of economically weaker sections – are set to go up.

A draft proposal by the Excise Department to implement the AIB, which was announced by Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the 2026-27 budget proposals, brings down the excise duty slabs from 16 to 8, and increases the cost of ‘stronger’ alcohol beverages.