⛽ Petrol & Diesel Rate Today India

Petrol & Diesel Rate in India Today — Complete Guide 2026

Fuel prices in India are revised daily at 6 AM by three state-owned oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL). The price you pay at the pump includes the base price of crude oil, central excise duty, state VAT, dealer commission and freight charges.

Why Do Petrol Prices Differ by City?

The biggest reason for city-to-city variation is state VAT (Value Added Tax). Each Indian state sets its own VAT rate on petrol and diesel. For example:

📊 What Makes Up the Petrol Price?

Out of every ₹100 you pay for petrol, approximately:

• ₹40-45 — Base price of crude oil + refining cost + OMC margin
• ₹19.90 — Central Excise Duty (fixed per litre)
• ₹15-35 — State VAT (varies by state — biggest differentiator)
• ₹3.68 — Dealer commission (fixed)
• ₹1-3 — Freight and other charges

This means taxes account for 55-65% of the petrol price you pay. India has one of the highest fuel tax rates in Asia.

🛢️ How International Crude Oil Affects Petrol Price

India imports approximately 85% of its crude oil requirement. The base price of petrol and diesel in India is directly linked to international crude oil prices (Brent crude, quoted in USD per barrel). When Brent crude rises, Indian fuel prices tend to follow — though the government sometimes absorbs part of the increase by cutting excise duty.

The USD/INR exchange rate also plays a role — since crude is bought in dollars, a weaker rupee makes imports more expensive, adding to fuel costs. In 2025-26, the trade war-driven rupee weakness has contributed to keeping fuel prices elevated.

📱 How to Check Petrol Price via SMS

You can get today's fuel price in your city by SMS:

• IOC: SMS RSP to 9224992249
• BPCL: SMS PRICE to 9223112222
• HPCL: SMS HPPRICE to 9222201122

💡 Tips to Save on Fuel

• Fill up in the morning — Fuel is denser at lower temperatures, giving you slightly more value
• Use fuel loyalty cards — IOC XtraRewards, BPCL PetroBonus offer cashback and reward points
• Maintain tyre pressure — Properly inflated tyres improve fuel efficiency by 3-4%
• Avoid peak traffic hours — Idling in traffic burns fuel with zero distance covered
• Use credit cards with fuel surcharge waiver — Many cards offer 1% fuel surcharge waiver saving ₹1-2/litre

🚗 Petrol vs Diesel vs CNG vs EV — Which is Cheapest to Run?

EVs are by far the cheapest to run per kilometre, followed by CNG. However, the high upfront cost of EVs and limited charging infrastructure in many cities means petrol and diesel remain dominant.

🔮 Petrol Price Forecast 2026

Petrol prices in India depend on international crude oil prices (currently ~$70-80/barrel for Brent crude), the USD/INR exchange rate, and government excise duty policy. With global trade war uncertainty keeping oil markets volatile, petrol prices are expected to remain range-bound in 2026. A significant escalation in Middle East conflict or further rupee depreciation could push prices higher.