India's oil marketing companies increased petrol and diesel prices by approximately 90 paise per litre on May 20, 2026 [3].

This second price hike within a single week places additional pressure on consumers and transport costs across the country. The move reflects the direct impact of volatile global energy markets on domestic retail pricing.

The price adjustments were implemented by state-run oil marketing companies, including Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) [1]. These changes affected major urban centers, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Faridabad, and Pune [4].

In Delhi, the price of petrol rose to Rs 98.64 per litre [1], while diesel reached Rs 91.58 per litre [1]. The cumulative increase over the last seven days has reached nearly ₹4 per litre [4].

Officials said the surge was due to rising global crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia [2]. Brent crude was trading at $110 per barrel at the time of the hike [5].

Market reactions were positive for the providers. Shares of HPCL, BPCL, and IOCL rose by nearly three% following the announcement [6].

“Petrol and diesel prices were increased by about 90 paise per litre.”

The rapid succession of fuel hikes indicates that Indian oil marketing companies are passing the burden of high global crude costs directly to consumers to protect their own margins. With Brent crude holding at $110 per barrel and West Asian instability persisting, retail prices may remain volatile, potentially fueling domestic inflation through increased logistics and transportation costs.