Andhra Pradesh rolls out new excise policy with digital tracking for 3,736 outlets

Andhra Pradesh has formally notified its Excise Shops Policy for the fiscal year 2026-27, with the state retaining 3,736 liquor outlets across its territory. The policy announcement marks a continuation of the current retail structure while embedding stricter regulatory mechanisms through technology integration.

A defining feature of the revised policy is the introduction of an end-to-end Track and Trace system that monitors liquor movement from manufacturing units through the distribution chain to final retail sale. This digital infrastructure aims to curb illicit trade, prevent revenue leakage, and ensure compliance with state excise norms.

Under the new framework, all liquor retailers and distributors must maintain digitized stock records and sales data in real-time. The move represents the state's push toward paperless operations and enhanced transparency in the alcohol retail sector, aligning with broader digital governance initiatives across India.

The policy's emphasis on technological oversight reflects growing state-level efforts to strengthen revenue collection and combat counterfeit products in the liquor trade. Officials contend that comprehensive digital monitoring will provide better visibility into market operations while enabling faster identification of irregularities.