Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday, June 8, 2026, directed the police to ensure strict age verification at pubs, breweries, bars, clubs, and similar liquor-serving establishments to prevent underage drinking. This move follows a study by researchers from St. John’s National Academy of Medical Sciences, Christ University, and Kasturba Medical College.
Priyank Kharge, Home Minister of Karnataka, has ordered strict age verification at pubs, bars, breweries, and other liquor-serving establishments. This move has been introduced to prevent underage drinking.
The move to tighten age verification in liquor-serving establishments comes after a Bengaluru-based study which found alcohol and tobacco use among adolescents and young adults was significantly higher than the national averages.
This study has been conducted by researchers from St. John’s National Academy of Medical Sciences, Christ (Deemed to be) University, and Kasturba Medical College. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge noted that one in three adolescents surveyed among 4,093 students were at risk of health issues linked to alcohol or tobacco use.
The study further concluded that 33% of the participants used alcohol while nearly 18% were addicted to tobacco. These numbers are significantly higher than the national prevalence rates of 7.9% for alcohol use and 8.7% for tobacco use. These numbers are also quite higher than Karnataka’s reported prevalence of 8.5% for alcohol use and 4.7% for tobacco use. Further, the study also observed that the median age of starting alcohol consumption among Bengaluru adolescents was 17 years. Some reported initiating alcohol consumption as early as 8 years of age.
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Under the new guidelines, establishments will be mandatorily required to verify government-issued ID cards before allowing entry or serving alcohol. Owners, managers, and license holders will be held accountable for any violations.
Karnataka Police has also been asked to ensure CCTV compliance and coordinate with educational institutions and parents to curb substance abuse among minors. Any venue allowing underage drinking will face severe action.
With the legal age for drinking in Karnataka being 21, this move is being implemented to ensure that those below the age of 21 don’t engage in alcohol or tobacco use.
“Children and young people must be protected from alcohol and substance abuse. Commercial establishments cannot place profit above the safety and future of our youth. The rule is simple: No ID, No Entry. Any establishment abetting underage drinking will face severe action,” Kharge said.
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Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has issued directives to the police to ensure strict age verification at liquor-serving establishments. This follows a research study conducted by St. John’s National Academy of Medical Sciences, Christ (Deemed to be) University, and Kasturba Medical College. Recently, Karnataka raised liquor permit fees for house parties too. What do you think of this move?
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