Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Gujarat Eases Liquor and Fund Rules in GIFT City
The Gujarat government has made it easier for people to drink alcohol in GIFT City, a special area for businesses.
Before, visitors needed special permits to drink, but now they can just show their ID.
Hotels and restaurants can serve alcohol in more places, like gardens and hotel rooms.
This change is meant to make GIFT City more attractive to international companies and their employees.
Additionally, the IFSCA has relaxed rules for fund managers and global in-house centers in GIFT City.
These changes include making it easier for fund managers to get the required experience and allowing more flexibility in how and when they can raise money.
The goal is to make GIFT City a better place for businesses to operate and grow.
Some people think these changes will bring more jobs and money to the area, while others say it's a small market that mostly helps big brands.
Gujarat government eases liquor rules in GIFT City to attract global businesses, allowing visitors to use valid photo IDs instead of temporary permits.
Licensed hotels and restaurants can serve alcohol in more areas, including hotel rooms, restaurants, lawns, poolside areas, terraces, and food and beverage zones.
Employees need a Liquor Access Permit and can host up to 25 visitors with temporary permits.
IFSCA relaxes fund management regulations, including eligibility norms for key managerial personnel and flexible fundraising timelines for venture capital and restricted schemes.
New GIC regulations allow multiple operating models, limited servicing of Indian group entities, eased employee transfer caps, and third-party service providers.
- Who
- Gujarat government, IFSCA, industry stakeholders, and visitors to GIFT City
- What
- Easing of liquor consumption and fund management rules in GIFT City
- When
- Recent notifications by the Gujarat Home Department and IFSCA
- Where
- Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gujarat, India
- Why
- To attract multinational firms, investments, and align with international standards, and to improve ease of doing business for fund managers
- Location
- Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gujarat, India
- Effective Date
- Recent notifications by Gujarat Home Department and IFSCA
- Key Liquor Change
- Removal of temporary liquor permits for visitors
- Licensed Premises
- Hotels and restaurants with F.L. III licenses
- Age Limit
- 21 years or older
- License Fee
- Rs 1 lakh with a security deposit of Rs 2 lakh
- Permitted Areas
- Restaurants, lawns, poolside areas, terraces, food and beverage zones, and hotel rooms
- Employee Permit
- Liquor Access Permit required for employees, can host up to 25 visitors
- Fund Management Changes
- Relaxed eligibility norms for key managerial personnel, flexible fundraising timelines, and new GIC regulations
- GIC Regulations
- Multiple operating models, limited servicing of Indian group entities, eased employee transfer caps, and third-party service providers
