The Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas denied reports of a planned increase in petrol and diesel prices on Thursday, April 23, 2026 [1].
Fuel costs are a critical economic driver in India, and rumors of sudden price spikes often trigger widespread public anxiety and market volatility. The government's swift denial aims to stabilize consumer sentiment following state elections.
The ministry said it is not considering any proposal to raise fuel costs and described reports of a hike as "mischievous and misleading" [2]. These rumors suggested a potential price increase of Rs 25-28 per litre [3]. Government officials said the reports were "fake news" designed to create unnecessary panic among the public [4].
In a statement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stressed that India is the only country where petrol and diesel prices have not increased in the last four years [2]. This stability contradicts claims that economic pressures or crude oil availability would necessitate a price adjustment.
While some social media content suggested a potential crude oil shortage, the ministry said there is no such crisis and no policy in place to raise prices [2, 4]. The government's position is that the fuel market remains stable and that the reports were entirely without basis [4].
Officials emphasized that the administration remains committed to maintaining current price levels to protect consumers from inflation. The ministry said the misinformation campaign was an attempt to mislead the public regarding the government's energy policy [2].
“The government is not considering any such proposal.”
The Indian government is prioritizing price stability to avoid political fallout and inflation following state elections. By labeling the rumors as 'mischievous,' the ministry is attempting to curb the influence of unofficial digital news sources that can trigger panic buying or social unrest in a price-sensitive economy.
