Ahmedabad, December 24: Any person from outside Gujarat or a foreign national can now consume liquor at designated hotels and restaurants in GIFT City by simply showing a valid photo ID, following a major relaxation in alcohol rules notified by the Gujarat government.

The state home department announced the changes through a gazette notification dated December 20, removing the earlier requirement for such visitors to obtain temporary liquor permits. The move further liberalises alcohol consumption norms within GIFT City, India’s global financial and technology hub located in Gandhinagar.

Gujarat’s ‘Dry State’ Rule and GIFT City Exception

Gujarat is a “dry” state where the manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor are prohibited under the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949. However, an exemption was carved out for GIFT City in 2023, allowing controlled sale and consumption of alcohol within its central business district to support global business operations. GIFT City New Liquor Rules: No More Restricted Zones As Gujarat’s GIFT City Expands ‘Wine and Dine’ Policy.

Under the latest notification, any “external person”, defined as someone not from Gujarat or a foreign national, can consume liquor at authorised facilities in GIFT City by showing a valid photo ID card, without needing a permit. Global Fintech Fest 2025: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Unveils Foreign Currency Settlement System in GIFT City.

Expanded Areas Where Liquor Can Be Consumed

The government has also widened the permissible areas for liquor consumption. Earlier, alcohol could be served only within designated “wine and dine” areas of authorised hotels and restaurants.

As per the revised rules, liquor can now be consumed in additional spaces such as lawns, poolside areas and terraces within licensed premises. The notification also clarifies that any person visiting for food is allowed to sit in the wine and dine area of a restaurant.

Hosting Visitors Made Easier for GIFT City Employees

Employees working in GIFT City who hold a Liquor Access Permit (LAP) can now host up to 25 visitors at a time at designated venues. Visitors will be issued temporary permits, provided the permit-holding employee accompanies them during the visit.

This provision is aimed at facilitating client meetings and business hospitality in line with international corporate norms.

Background: 2023 Liquor Law Exemption Guidelines

When the exemption was first introduced in 2023, the Gujarat government had issued detailed guidelines governing liquor sale and consumption in GIFT City.

Only units holding an FL-III licence were allowed to serve liquor. Such licences are issued by the Superintendent of Prohibition and Excise after approval from the GIFT Facilitation Committee. The annual licence fee was fixed at INR 1 lakh, along with a INR 2 lakh security deposit.

Liquor was permitted strictly within approved wine and dine areas, and only for persons aged 21 and above. Licences could be issued for one to five years and renewed subsequently.

Liquor Access Permits and Temporary Permits Explained

Employees of companies operating in GIFT City could obtain a Liquor Access Permit through their employer, valid for two years and renewable, at a fee of INR 1,000 per year. The permit would automatically stand cancelled if the employee left the organisation.

Visitors earlier required temporary permits and had to be accompanied by a Liquor Access Permit holder, a requirement that has now been eased for non-Gujarat residents and foreign nationals.

Why the Gujarat Government Relaxed the Rules

The exemption and subsequent relaxations are part of the Gujarat government’s broader push to position GIFT City as a globally competitive financial hub. By aligning lifestyle and hospitality norms with international standards, the state aims to attract foreign investors, multinational firms and global talent.

The latest changes are expected to significantly reduce compliance hurdles and improve the ease of doing business within GIFT City.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2025 06:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).