Oil companies in India increased petrol and diesel prices by approximately 90 paise per litre on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 [1].
These consecutive price hikes place additional financial pressure on consumers and transport sectors, potentially driving up the cost of goods and services across the country.
This latest adjustment marks the second increase in less than a week [2]. The previous hike, which occurred on May 15, saw prices rise by Rs 3 per litre [8]. These changes are attributed to rising global crude oil prices and the ongoing war in Iran [4].
In New Delhi, the cost of petrol reached Rs 98.64 per litre following Tuesday's increase [3]. This follows a trajectory where the price was Rs 94.77 per litre before the first hike of the week [7], and Rs 97.77 per litre after the May 15 adjustment [5].
Diesel prices in the capital followed a similar trend, reaching Rs 91.58 per litre on Tuesday [3]. The cost of diesel in New Delhi was Rs 87.67 per litre before the first hike [8], then rose to Rs 90.67 per litre on May 15 [6].
The price adjustments were implemented nationwide, though specific figures for New Delhi serve as the primary benchmark for the impact on urban consumers [3]. While some reports describe the timeline as a five-day span, others characterize the volatility as the second hike within a single week [1, 2].
“Petrol and diesel prices were increased by about 90 paise per litre”
The rapid succession of fuel price increases reflects India's vulnerability to geopolitical instability in the Middle East. Because the country relies heavily on imported crude oil, conflict in Iran directly impacts domestic pump prices. This volatility can lead to cost-push inflation, where the increased cost of transporting goods leads to higher retail prices for food and essential commodities.
