New Delhi, May 25, 2026 : Petrol and diesel prices were hiked once again on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks amid soaring global crude oil prices triggered by the Iran conflict.
Petrol prices were increased by โน2.61 per litre, while diesel rates went up by โน2.71 per litre, taking the cumulative hike since May 15 to nearly โน7.5 per litre.
In Delhi, petrol prices rose from โน99.51 to โน102.12 per litre, while diesel climbed from โน92.49 to โน95.20 per litre.
Fuel prices have now reached their highest levels since May 2022 after remaining largely unchanged for more than two years, except for a โน2 per litre reduction announced in March 2024 ahead of national elections.
The latest hike comes despite a sharp fall in global crude oil prices amid tentative hopes of easing tensions in the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Brent crude reportedly dropped over 5 per cent after the US and Iran agreed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit route.
Industry sources said global crude prices had surged by more than 50 per cent since late February due to disruptions caused by the conflict and shipping concerns in the Strait of Hormuz.
State-run oil marketing companies had delayed passing on higher input costs for several weeks, a move the government said was aimed at protecting consumers from inflationary pressure. However, opposition parties accused the government of postponing fuel hikes until after key state elections.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the fuel price rise, alleging that consumers are being burdened after elections concluded.
Since the beginning of the conflict, domestic LPG cylinder prices have reportedly increased by โน60 per 14.2-kg cylinder, while CNG prices have gone up by โน4 per kg since mid-May.
After the latest revision, petrol prices in Mumbai climbed to โน111.21 per litre and diesel to โน97.83, while in Kolkata petrol touched โน113.51 and diesel โน99.82 per litre. In Chennai, petrol prices rose to โน107.77 and diesel to โน99.55 per litre.
Industry experts warned that the repeated fuel price hikes are likely to increase transportation and logistics costs, adding further pressure on inflation across the economy.
