Bars must verify customers’ age through Aadhaar, warns Keralam Excise Minister

Thrissur Excise Minister M. Liju has directed bars across Keralam to verify the age of customers using Aadhaar cards before serving them liquor, warning of strict action against establishments that serve alcohol to underage persons. The Minister on Friday (October 30, 2026) said the legal drinking age in Keralam was 23 and that bars found violating the rule would face suspension of their licences.

Aadhaar-based age verification would be mandatory, he stressed. The directive comes in the wake of a drunk-driving road accident at Nedumbassery that claimed three lives. Mr. Liju said he had personally instructed the Excise Department to register a case following the accident. He added that the licences of bars found serving liquor to underage customers had already been suspended.

There would be no compromise on enforcing the age restriction, and all bars must strictly comply with the verification requirement, he said.