Tamil Nadu Tightens Alcohol Rules, Moves to Ban Sales to Under‑21s

The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, has intensified its crackdown on alcohol. The state reinforced the legal drinking age of 21 and ordered the closure of 717 TASMAC liquor outlets that were within 500 metres of temples, schools, colleges, bus stations and other sensitive locations. Of the 4,765 TASMAC outlets in the state, those near places of worship (276), educational institutions (186) and bus termini (255) will be shut within two weeks.

The administration is also considering a ban on alcohol sales to anyone under 21, with TASMAC potentially requiring age‑proof documents such as Aadhaar or a driving licence before serving customers. The move builds on Vijay’s election promise to curb liquor revenue in favour of public health and family welfare, and comes amid a patchwork of drinking‑age laws across India, where limits range from 18 to 25 or outright prohibition in several states.