For the second time in five days, petrol and diesel prices were increased across the country on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with rates going up by around 90 paise per litre across all variants.
With the latest revision, fuel prices have risen by nearly Rs 3.90 per litre since May 15, when rates were first hiked by Rs 3 per litre after a gap of four years.
In Delhi, petrol prices were raised by 87 paise to Rs 98.64 per litre, while diesel became costlier by 91 paise and is now priced at Rs 91.58 per litre.
Indian Oil’s premium diesel variant, XG, now costs Rs 96.90 per litre following a 91 paise increase. Similarly, the company’s high-octane petrol variant, XP95, saw an 87-paise hike and is now retailing at Rs 105.76 per litre.
Among the metros, Kolkata recorded the sharpest increase. Petrol prices there rose by 96 paise to Rs 109.70 per litre, while diesel prices climbed 94 paise to Rs 96.07 per litre.
Mumbai also saw a steep rise, with petrol becoming costlier by 91 paise to Rs 107.59 per litre and diesel by 94 paise to Rs 94.08 per litre.
In Chennai, petrol prices increased by 82 paise to Rs 104.49 per litre, while diesel rates went up by 86 paise to Rs 96.11 per litre.
The latest increase reflects mounting pressure on retail fuel prices as Brent crude oil continues to rise amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
Government data showed that India’s crude oil basket averaged $106.69 per barrel till May 15 this month. On Tuesday morning, Brent crude futures for July delivery were trading 0.156% higher at $109.34 per barrel.
On May 18, the government informed that combined losses incurred by oil marketing companies on LPG, petrol, and diesel had reduced by Rs 250 crore to Rs 750 crore after the Rs 3 fuel price hike announced on May 15.
The Centre also clarified that no bailout package for oil marketing companies was currently under consideration.
Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for fuel conservation, encouraged work-from-home practices and advised reduced travel as elevated energy prices put pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves and risk widening the current account deficit for the third consecutive year.
Several State governments have already advised departments to limit official travel, avoid physical meetings and function with reduced office attendance.
Private fuel retailers had previously raised pump prices as well. In March, Nayara Energy increased petrol prices by Rs 5 per litre and diesel by Rs 3 per litre, while Shell raised petrol prices by Rs 7.41 and diesel prices by Rs 25 per litre from April 1. In Bengaluru, Shell currently sells petrol at Rs 119.85 per litre and diesel at Rs 123.52 per litre.
Domestic LPG cylinder prices were also raised by Rs 60 in March, though rates remain below actual market costs. Oil companies are reportedly losing Rs 674 on every 14.2-kg LPG cylinder sold.
Industry sources said the latest hike appears to be calibrated to ease pressure on oil companies without triggering a sharp inflation spike, though it is still expected to have some impact on inflation.
India’s retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 3.48% in April 2026 from 3.40% in March. Meanwhile, wholesale price inflation (WPI) surged to 8.3%, its highest level in 42 months, largely due to rising fuel and energy costs linked to elevated global crude oil prices.
