NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a changing pattern in alcohol consumption that presents a mixed picture. The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) indicates a marginal rise in the percentage of women consuming alcohol in the state, placing Madhya Pradesh slightly above the national average. At the same time, alcohol consumption among men remains marginally below the national average, although it too has increased compared to the previous survey.The survey findings come alongside government data showing a dramatic rise in liquor sales, with chilled beer—or ‘thandi beer’—emerging as the state’s most preferred alcoholic beverage, surpassing both country liquor and Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL). Meanwhile, increasing concerns over illegal liquor trade, social consequences of alcohol abuse, and a heated political confrontation between the BJP and Congress have once again pushed the issue into the spotlight.
According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on May 29, 1.2% of women aged 15 years and above in Madhya Pradesh consume alcohol, marginally higher than the national average of 1.1%.The latest figures represent a slight increase from NFHS-5 (2019-21), when 1% of women in Madhya Pradesh reported consuming alcohol.Interestingly, the national trend has moved in the opposite direction. Across India, the proportion of women consuming alcohol declined from 1.3% in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 1.1% in NFHS-6 (2023-24). While the country witnessed a reduction in alcohol consumption among women, Madhya Pradesh recorded a modest increase.Among men, 18.5% of males aged 15 years and above in Madhya Pradesh reported consuming alcohol, slightly lower than the national average of 18.9%.
However, male alcohol consumption in the state has also increased over time. The figure stood at 17% during NFHS-5 (2019-21), indicating a rise of 1.5 percentage points in the latest survey.At the national level, alcohol consumption among men also increased, though only marginally—from 18.7% in 2019-21 to 18.9% in 2023-24. The increase recorded in Madhya Pradesh was comparatively sharper.The NFHS-6 survey was conducted during 2023-24, covering nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts nationwide. It serves as one of India’s most comprehensive databases on population, health, nutrition and family welfare indicators, helping governments formulate evidence-based policies and welfare programmes.According to the Union government, fieldwork for the survey in Madhya Pradesh was carried out between February 13, 2024, and December 25, 2024.Beer becomes Madhya Pradesh’s favourite drinkWhile the survey highlights changing consumption patterns among people, Excise Department data reflects a dramatic transformation in drinking preferences across the state.When it comes to alcohol consumption, ‘thandi beer’ has emerged as the most sought-after alcoholic beverage in Madhya Pradesh, overtaking both traditional desi daru and Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL).According to official Excise Department figures, beer sales were three times higher than IMFL, while country liquor sales were twice that of IMFL, although still lower than beer consumption.Government data indicates that drinking preferences have undergone a significant shift over the past five years.Until 2021-22, country-made liquor dominated alcohol sales across Madhya Pradesh. However, that trend has steadily reversed, with beer consumption increasing every year and decisively overtaking all other categories during the past three years.Beer has now become the state’s most consumed alcoholic beverage.Country-made liquor continues to remain the second most consumed category.Official figures show that sales of country-made liquor increased from 899.16 lakh proof litres in 2020-21 to 1,522.76 lakh proof litres in 2024-25.Even during the current financial year, consumption has remained substantial. Till November 2025-26, 921.79 lakh proof litres of country-made liquor had already been consumed across Madhya Pradesh.Sales of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) have also registered substantial growth.According to government records, IMFL sales rose from 420.65 lakh proof litres in 2020-21 to 720.75 lakh proof litres in 2024-25.Till November 2025-26, 555.90 lakh proof litres of IMFL had already been sold in the state.For comparison, country liquor sales stood at 899.16 lakh proof litres in 2020-21 and 1,020.50 lakh proof litres in 2021-22, while beer sales during the same period were 840.77 lakh bulk litres and 962.42 lakh bulk litres, respectively.The liquor consumption data was shared by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda on December 18, marking the completion of two years of the state government.The surge in alcohol sales has also translated into significantly higher government revenue.According to official figures, the Excise Department’s revenue increased from Rs 9,520.96 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 15,254 crore in 2024-25.Women take on illegal liquor trade in raisenEven as legal liquor sales continue to rise, illegal liquor trade remains a major concern in several parts of Madhya Pradesh.Women from the tribal-dominated villages of Katak and Jamanjhiri in Raisen district, which falls under the constituency of Minister of State Narendra Shivaji Patel, recently launched a direct protest against the alleged inaction of the Excise Department.
Frustrated over the continued illegal sale of liquor, the women organised a raid on local vendors and seized bottles of illicit alcohol.They marched through the villages carrying the confiscated bottles before reaching a nearby river bridge, where they threw the bottles into the river and destroyed them while raising slogans against the illegal liquor trade.According to the protesting women, illegal liquor has severely affected their villages by contributing to domestic violence and deteriorating social conditions.Despite repeatedly approaching authorities and making several complaints, they alleged that the Excise Department had failed to take meaningful action.Their protest came barely a month after Minister of State Narendra Shivaji Patel warned illegal liquor traders that strict action would be taken if they continued violating the law.Speaking to the media, the protesting women expressed concern over the worsening situation.They said illegal liquor was destroying families and creating serious social problems while criticising the Excise Department for failing to enforce the law effectively.Similar allegations have surfaced from several neighbouring villages.Residents have alleged that contractors themselves are supplying liquor directly to villages by dropping consignments at multiple locations, further encouraging illegal sales.Earlier, women from different villages had also gathered outside the Collectorate in Raisen demanding stronger enforcement against the illegal liquor trade.Minister’s advice sparks debateIn 2024, Madhya Pradesh Cabinet minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha triggered widespread debate over his unusual suggestion to women during a Nasha Mukti Abhiyan programme in Bhopal.Addressing the gathering, the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister advised women to ask their husbands to bring liquor home instead of drinking outside.“Those men who come home after consuming liquor from outside, their wives should tell them to bring the liquor at home and drink it. If they consume alcohol in front of women and children at home, they will feel ashamed and it will gradually let them get rid of the addiction of drinking,” the minister said.He further advised women not to serve food to husbands who returned home after consuming alcohol.“Women should not cook food for those who come home after consuming alcohol. Women should make ‘Belan’ gangs and show Belan to those who come after having liquor. Many people are not able to do this because of social values but values should not come in the way of stopping wrongdoings,” Minister Kushwaha added.When asked whether the state government intended to impose prohibition, Kushwaha responded that liquor continued to be available even in states where it had been officially banned.“I had suggested liquor ban in the previous tenure but in the states where liquor has been banned, it is seen even there. Liquor ban in the state is under consideration at the government level. The central and the state government can take a decision on this in the future. Liquor ban can be done through public awareness,” he added.Political row over women’s alcohol consumptionThe issue of alcohol consumption among women also became the centre of an intense political controversy in 2025.Congress state president Jitu Patwari claimed that women in Madhya Pradesh were consuming more alcohol than women in any other state.His remarks drew a sharp response from the ruling BJP.Patwari alleged that women in Madhya Pradesh were drinking more than anywhere else in the country.Addressing reporters at his residence, he blamed the BJP government for the situation and remarked sarcastically,“MP has won a ‘tamga’ (medal) for itself for abusing alcohol leaving behind even states such as Punjab.”He further alleged,“The BJP has been garnering votes in the name of Ladli Behnas, but could not prevent abuse of alcohol and drugs by the women in the state.”Chief minister Mohan Yadav reacted strongly to the statement.“The Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge should apologise for Patwari’s statement and remove him from his post for insulting women,” the Chief Minister said.Patwari defends his claimsFollowing the controversy, Patwari later posted an open letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on social media, citing government reports and survey data to justify his remarks.“In recent years, Madhya Pradesh has seen a worrying increase in alcohol consumption and addiction among women and youth, which is also evident in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and govt reports,” Patwari wrote.He further stated, “According to the NFHS-5 report, 1.6% of the women in the state consume alcohol, including 2.1% women in rural areas and 0.6% women in urban areas. Compared to 2015-16 (NFHS-4), an increase in alcohol consumption by women has been recorded in rural areas. On the other hand, the figures of urban areas are also worrying.”Highlighting protests against illegal liquor, Patwari added, “In many districts of Madhya Pradesh, women are protesting the illegal sale of alcohol. Recently, more than 100 women blocked the road in Khargone. Illegal sale of alcohol, illegal transportation from the border districts of Gujarat, domestic violence and increasing crime related to alcohol, harassment of small children due to alcohol has also increased.“He further argued, “In the last decade, govt reports have recorded an increase of 23% (IMFL) and 14% (beer) in the total consumption of alcohol in Madhya Pradesh. There has also been a sharp increase in the demand for foreign liquor, malt and wine among the youth population in major urban centers like Bhopal and Indore. Despite the drama of govt campaigns like ‘drugs se doori hai jaroori’, why is the situation going out of control?”Concluding his letter, Patwari wrote,“I also want to say that alcohol is not a political protest, but an issue of economic and social distress. Saving the youth and women of MP from addiction should be our collective concern. It would be better if instead of spreading lies and confusion through the media, we make honest efforts to improve and groom the future of the state.”Patwari had earlier intensified the political attack by alleging, “Our sisters and daughters have started consuming intoxicants. The BJP sought votes in the name of schemes like Ladli Behna, but never took serious steps to protect women from substance abuse. Today, Madhya Pradesh women lead nation in liquor consumption.”He further claimed, “Madhya Pradesh tops the country in liquor consumption,” while also alleging that the state had overtaken Punjab in drug-related cases.He accused chief minister Mohan Yadav and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of failing to curb the expanding liquor and narcotics trade.The controversy once again brought the issue of alcohol consumption, illegal liquor trade, public health and political accountability to the forefront in Madhya Pradesh, even as the latest NFHS-6 data and Excise Department figures continue to present a nuanced picture of changing drinking patterns across the state.(With inputs from Ankur Sirothia)
