Every day, we encounter news about the illegal sale of liquor, which poses a significant threat to public health and safety. To address this issue, the Andhra Pradesh government has implemented an important mandate for retailers. Under this initiative, retailers are required to scan the QR code on liquor bottles before making a sale, ensuring authenticity and transparency. This measure aims to reduce the sale of illicit liquor and protect consumers. Here is more information on the matter:
The Andhra Pradesh government made a landmark move to eliminate the sale of spurious liquor by making it mandatory for retailers to scan the liquor bottle QR code. This new initiative was launched under Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in October 2025. The retailers can scan QR codes through the AP Excise Suraksha App (APESA). This will ensure that all the bottles that are sold across Andhra Pradesh are genuine and safe.
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Under this new initiative, every single liquor bottle carries a unique QR code that is linked to the state excise Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP system). These QR codes are printed only on the bottles that are distributed through the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Ltd. (APSBCL) depot. Before selling any bottle, retailers must use the APESA app to scan the bottle and verify its authenticity.
The app will display one of the following three results to verify the genuineness of the bottle and its content:
In case of any suspicious bottles found, the local excise officials must be notified for further investigation.
The license holders must also check the cap, seal, and hologram of the bottle while verifying it. They must maintain a register daily with details of batch number, brand, timestamp, and the scan results.
One of the important and amazing aspects of this new system is that customers can also scan the bottle themselves before purchase. They can use the Excise Suraksha App to confirm the authenticity themselves.
All licensed liquor shops are also asked to display boards with the message that their liquor is verified. Digital display screens will also show details such as price, scan results, as well as information about the manufacturer.
Additionally, there will be geo-tagging of liquor shops in order to prevent unauthorized shops. A dedicated control room has also been established to handle complaints and feedback from customers.
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The QR code mandate was introduced after many incidents of the circulation of spurious liquor were noted, including a significant case in Mulakalacheruvu in the Annamayya district. This situation completely exposed serious public health risks, and multiple individuals were arrested for the same.
Further, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, and new rules were implemented in the excise system. This initiative is a way to bring back public trust, enhance transparency, and protect consumers from adulterated liquor.
The Chief Minister has ordered that even beer bottles should have QR codes and must be verified before sale. Over 27,000 users have downloaded the application, with over 53,000 liquor bottles scanned, with zero products detected so far, ever since the launch.
This initiative marks a major step toward a safe liquor distribution in Andhra Pradesh. It represents one of India’s most advanced efforts to protect the liquor trade through digital governance as well as public participation.
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