India, a vast and diverse South Asian nation, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, ancient traditions, and rapidly evolving modern economy. However, with its vast population, diverse markets, and strategic geographic location, India has become a fertile ground for a range of illicit activities. Its position as a pivotal trading hub in South Asia, coupled with its burgeoning economy, has rendered it susceptible to a wide spectrum of illicit trade practices. From the proliferation of counterfeit products, illicit  alcohol and the underground movement of smuggled goods to the clandestine world of illegal wildlife trade and intricate webs of money laundering, India confronts formidable challenges in its ongoing battle against these illicit activities.

Featured Report

lllicit Trade in Alcohol in India: Challenges and Solutions (September 2023)
​

Illicit trade in alcohol is widespread, representing significant percentages of alcohol consumption worldwide and stripping governments of billions of dollars in tax revenues. In almost all cases, illicit trade in alcohol results in serious health risks to consumers, revenue loss, and brand degradation for legitimate manufacturers, as well as reduced tax revenue for governments. This publication explores the situation in India and the causes for the flourishing trade in illicit alcohol. The problem in India is exacerbated by the massive size of the country, the federal structure, diverse drinking patterns, the varied regulatory structure and regional nuances and traditions that characterize the alcohol market. Notably, the report highlights a number of regulatory and legal mechanisms that the government can implement to better control and combat illicit alcohol.

lllicit Trade in Alcohol in India: Challenges and Solutions
​

---

MEDIA CENTER

Media release: TRACIT urges India to step up efforts to mitigate the availability of illicit alcoholic beverages.
29 September 2023