Maharashtra Extends Pub, Restaurant Hours Till 5 AM for New Year's Eve

• Maharashtra allows eateries, restaurants, hotels, and pubs to operate until 5 am on January 1 for New Year's Eve celebrations.
• The state home department issued a "permanent" order, streamlining approvals for extended hours on select festive occasions annually.
• This order will apply every year on Christmas Eve (December 24 night), Christmas (December 25 night), and New Year’s Eve (December 31 night).
• Establishments must deploy private security personnel, and owners will be held accountable for any law and order issues.
• Extended hours are only for enclosed premises; existing sound and music regulations, including Supreme Court directives, still apply.

Why It Matters: Maharashtra permanently extends operating hours for hospitality on New Year's Eve and Christmas.