Petrol, diesel prices surge again in Delhi, UP amid global crude spike
Synopsis
India's state-run oil firms have raised petrol and diesel prices twice in less than a week — the first such back-to-back revisions in over four years. With Delhi petrol touching ₹98.64 and crude up more than 50% since Iran tensions flared, the question is no longer whether prices will rise again, but by how much.
Key Takeaways
OMCs raised petrol by 86 paise/litre and diesel by 83 paise/litre on 19 May — the second hike in under a week.
Petrol in Delhi now costs ₹98.64/litre ; diesel stands at ₹91.58/litre — highest since May 2022 .
An earlier hike of ₹3/litre on 15 May was the first fuel price revision in more than four years .
Global crude has surged over 50% since Iran -linked tensions disrupted the Strait of Hormuz .
IGL also raised CNG prices by Re 1/kg — its second hike within 48 hours .
Residents in Delhi , Basti , Ballia , and Chandigarh voiced concern over the cascading cost burden.
State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Tuesday, 19 May raised petrol and diesel prices for the second time in less than a week, pushing fuel costs to their highest levels since May 2022 and drawing widespread concern from residents across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The back-to-back hikes come amid a sharp surge in global crude oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions linked to the US-Iran conflict.
Latest Price Revision
Following Tuesday's revision, petrol prices rose by 86 paise per litre and diesel by 83 paise per litre. In the national capital, petrol now costs ₹98.64 per litre, while diesel stands at ₹91.58 per litre. This follows an earlier hike of ₹3 per litre on 15 May — the first such increase in more than four years — which had pushed Delhi petrol to ₹97.77 and diesel up by ₹3.11 per litre.
What People on the Ground Are Saying
A garment seller in Delhi said the hikes were squeezing those dependent on daily earnings. 'I work in the clothing business and sell garments on the streets. My livelihood depends on daily earnings, and now the increase in fuel prices is creating problems for us,' he said. Another commuter in the capital noted he learnt of the hike only when leaving for work in the morning, adding, 'Due to the ongoing war situation, conditions are similar across many countries.'
In Basti, Uttar Pradesh, a local resident said the hikes were expected to continue. 'What can we even say about it? Whatever we are getting is fine. It is manageable for those who are employed,' he remarked. In Ballia, a resident flagged the cumulative impact: 'Petrol and diesel prices have increased significantly. A hike of around three rupees per litre is causing trouble for the public. Everything has become expensive — gas, diesel, petrol, everything.'
A resident in Chandigarh appealed directly to the government: 'Prices should not rise further. Due to the war situation, we are definitely being affected. I request the government to reduce fuel and diesel prices.'
CNG Rates Also Rising
Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), India's leading city gas distributor, on Sunday raised compressed natural gas (CNG) prices by Re 1 per kg across its network — the second CNG hike within 48 hours. The successive increases in CNG rates compound the financial pressure on households and commercial operators already absorbing higher petrol and diesel costs.
Global Trigger: Strait of Hormuz Disruption
Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since tensions involving Iran escalated earlier this year, disrupting supplies through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most critical oil shipping chokepoints. This supply shock has forced OMCs, which had held prices steady for over four years, to pass on rising input costs to consumers in rapid succession. Notably, this is only the second round of retail price revisions since the prolonged freeze, making the pace of the current hikes particularly jarring for households.
What Comes Next
With global crude remaining elevated and no immediate sign of a diplomatic resolution to the US-Iran standoff, further price revisions cannot be ruled out, according to industry observers. The government has not announced any relief measures or subsidy intervention as of Tuesday. All eyes are now on crude benchmarks and any policy response from the Centre as the economic pressure on middle- and lower-income households intensifies.
Point of View
Inflation spikes, and crude volatility — suggesting the freeze was as much political as commercial. Two hikes in under a week signals that the buffer has run out and that the government has quietly decided the electoral cost of subsidising fuel is now higher than the political cost of passing it on. With Delhi petrol approaching ₹99 and CNG rising in parallel, the cumulative hit on urban commuters and small traders is substantial. The Centre's silence on any relief mechanism will be closely watched.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current petrol and diesel prices in Delhi after the latest hike?
As of 19 May , petrol in Delhi costs ₹98.64 per litre and diesel costs ₹91.58 per litre , following the second price revision in less than a week by state-run oil marketing companies.
Why have petrol and diesel prices been hiked twice in one week?
Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since tensions involving Iran disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz . OMCs, which had held retail prices steady for over four years, are now passing on the accumulated cost increase to consumers.
When was the previous fuel price hike before this week?
The previous hike was on 15 May , when OMCs raised petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per litre each — the first revision in more than four years. Tuesday's increase is the second within the same week.
Have CNG prices also increased?
Yes. Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) raised CNG prices by Re 1 per kg on Sunday — its second hike within 48 hours — adding to the financial burden on households and commercial vehicle operators.
Are further fuel price hikes expected?
Industry observers say further revisions cannot be ruled out as long as global crude remains elevated and the US-Iran geopolitical standoff continues. The government has not announced any subsidy or relief measures as of Tuesday.
