Petrol, diesel prices hiked for second time in 5 days; check city-wise rates

Petrol, Diesel Price Hike: Fuel prices increased in major metro cities on Tuesday, the second hike in less than a week. Petrol prices went up by as much as 96 paise per litre, while diesel prices rose by up to 94 paise per litre in the latest revision for May 19, 2026.

The fresh hike comes after state-run oil marketing companies had already increased fuel prices by around Rs 3 per litre last Friday. The latest revision has pushed petrol prices in Delhi close to the Rs 99 per litre mark.

Fuel prices see second hike in 5 days.

City wise new rates

In Delhi, petrol now costs Rs 98.64 per litre after an increase of 87 paise. Diesel prices in the national capital rose by 91 paise to Rs 91.58 per litre.

Mumbai continued to have the highest petrol prices among the four metros. Petrol prices in the city increased by 91 paise to Rs 107.59 per litre, while diesel prices rose by 94 paise to Rs 94.08 per litre.

In Kolkata, petrol prices saw the sharpest increase of 96 paise per litre and reached Rs 109.70 per litre. Diesel prices in the city climbed 94 paise to Rs 96.07 per litre.

Chennai also witnessed another round of fuel price increase. Petrol prices rose by 82 paise to Rs 104.49 per litre, while diesel prices were up 86 paise at Rs 96.11 per litre.

Oil firms under pressure

Earlier this week, petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri warned that state-run fuel retailers could face losses of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore in a single quarter if fuel prices were not revised amid elevated crude oil prices.

Puri said public sector oil marketing companies were collectively losing around Rs 1,000 crore every day because of the widening gap between international crude prices and domestic retail fuel rates.

Sanjay Malhotra, governor of the Reserve Bank of India, had also indicated earlier this week that fuel price hikes could become unavoidable if the West Asia conflict continued for a prolonged period.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has meanwhile urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption and adopt austerity measures to help conserve foreign exchange reserves.

No price hike since 2022

Retail fuel prices had largely remained unchanged since April 2022, barring a one-time Rs 2 per litre cut announced in March 2024 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

State-run oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited — had suspended daily fuel price revisions in 2022 to protect consumers from the sharp spike in global crude oil prices after Russia invaded Ukraine.

However, crude oil prices have surged again amid the continuing West Asia conflict. India’s crude basket, which averaged around $69 per barrel in February, has climbed sharply to nearly $113-$114 per barrel in recent months.

India imports nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil requirement, making domestic fuel prices highly sensitive to movements in global energy markets.

Government says no fuel shortage

The Centre has repeatedly maintained that there is no fuel shortage and no proposal for rationing despite disruptions in global energy trade routes.

“There is no need to panic. There are sufficient supplies. There is no rationing in place. It's not going to happen,” oil secretary Neeraj Mittal had said recently at the Confederation of Indian Industry Annual Business Summit.

Officials have said India currently has around 60 days of fuel stocks and nearly 45 days of LPG inventories.

Meanwhile, CNG prices in Delhi-NCR were raised by Rs 2 to Rs 79.09 per kg. Mahanagar Gas Limited had earlier increased CNG prices in the Mumbai region as well. On Sunday, Indraprastha Gas Limited further raised CNG prices by Re 1.