Jamshedpur Hotels Get 2 AM Bar Permission; SP Clearance, Extra Fees Mandatory

Five-star hotels eligible for 4 AM service

RANCHI/JAMSHEDPUR: In a major move to boost state revenue and align with metropolitan nightlife standards, the Jharkhand Excise and Prohibition Department has drafted a new policy allowing five-star hotels to serve liquor until 4:00 AM.

The “Jharkhand Liquor Storage and Wholesale Sale Rules 2026,” which is currently open for public feedback, proposes a tiered extension of operating hours beyond the current midnight deadline, provided establishments pay additional license fees and secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the district Superintendent of Police.

Operating Hours and Star Category Regulations

The proposed regulations categorize operating hours based on hotel ratings and geography. While five-star hotels can extend operations to 4:00 AM, three and four-star hotels across the state will be restricted to a 2:00 AM closing time. In major hubs like Ranchi, Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, and Seraikela, non-star establishments may stay open until 2:00 AM under specific conditions, whereas bars in rural areas and other districts—including Dumka, Khunti, and West Singhbhum—must strictly cease operations by midnight.

Licensing Fees and Payment Provisions

The department is shifting from a quarterly fee model to a mandatory lump-sum annual payment system. To facilitate ease of business, the policy introduces the option of e-Bank Guarantees for security deposits. While the standard closing time remains midnight for the majority of the state, any extension requires a formal application and clearance from the district SSP or SP. The new rules also provide a clearer framework for penalties, outlining specific grounds for the suspension or cancellation of licenses in case of irregularities.

Detailed Fee Structure for Five-Star Hotels

For state-wide five-star establishments, the application fee is set at ₹2 lakh with a security deposit of ₹6 lakh. Annual indoor fees are tiered: ₹20 lakh for midnight, ₹22 lakh for 2:00 AM, and ₹24 lakh for 4:00 AM. For outdoor settings, these fees rise to ₹22 lakh, ₹24 lakh, and ₹26 lakh, respectively.

Fee Structure for Three and Four-Star Hotels

These hotels face a ₹1 lakh application fee and a ₹6 lakh security deposit. Indoor annual fees are ₹15 lakh (midnight) and ₹17 lakh (2:00 AM), while outdoor service fees are ₹17 lakh (midnight) and ₹19 lakh (2:00 AM).

Fees for Non-Star Urban and Rural Establishments

In the four major districts (Ranchi, Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Seraikela), urban non-star hotels pay an application fee of ₹1 lakh and a security deposit of ₹6 lakh. Indoor annual fees range from ₹13 lakh to ₹15 lakh based on timing, while outdoor fees range from ₹15 lakh to ₹17 lakh. In rural regions, the fees are scaled down, with indoor operations costing between ₹8 lakh and ₹10 lakh. Independent restaurants and clubs in these urban hubs follow a similar scale, peaking at ₹16 lakh for outdoor service until 2:00 AM.

Specialized and Temporary Licenses

The policy also covers government official clubs and State Guest Houses, which enjoy lower fees: a ₹25,000 application fee and annual charges between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh. For temporary events like weddings or commercial functions, daily indoor license fees in major districts are set at ₹20,000 (midnight) and ₹30,000 (2:00 AM). For star hotels, these daily temporary rates can go as high as ₹50,000 for outdoor service until 2:00 AM.

Regulations for Other Districts

In districts like Dumka, Godda, and Simdega, the midnight deadline remains firm. Urban bars in these areas will pay an annual fee of ₹9 lakh (indoor) or ₹11 lakh (outdoor), while rural establishments will pay ₹6 lakh and ₹8 lakh respectively, following a ₹50,000 application fee.

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Bars in five-star hotels can remain open until 4 AM.
2. Three and four-star hotels permitted to operate bars until 2 AM.
3. Increase in annual license fees with new region-specific regulations.