India, April 20 -- Delhi's legal drinking age is unlikely to be lowered from 25 years as the government prepares a new excise policy after nearly three years of uncertainty, senior officials aware of the matter have said.

The government is examining liquor regulations across six states - Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Karnataka - to cherry-pick best practices for a regulation that has been a vexed issue.

"The objective is to create a non-adventurous policy that balances public interest with efficient regulation," a senior excise official said, asking not to be named.

Along with holding status quo on the legal drinking age, the city is also likely to continue its ban on home delivery of liquor.

Official...