Every morning, over 5 million Indians check petrol prices before heading out. If you are one of them – welcome. Below are today’s confirmed fuel prices across India’s major cities for May 24, 2026, followed by a clear explanation of why these prices change every single day and what actually drives the number you see at the pump.
Petrol and Diesel Prices Today – May 24, 2026
| City | Petrol (Rs/litre) | Diesel (Rs/litre) | Change vs Yesterday |
| Delhi | Rs 94.77 | Rs 87.67 | No change |
| Mumbai | Rs 103.44 | Rs 89.97 | No change |
| Bangalore | Rs 102.86 | Rs 88.94 | No change |
| Chennai | Rs 100.75 | Rs 92.47 | No change |
| Hyderabad | Rs 107.41 | Rs 95.65 | No change |
| Pune | Rs 103.57 | Rs 89.87 | No change |
| Kolkata | Rs 103.94 | Rs 90.76 | No change |
| Ahmedabad | Rs 96.63 | Rs 92.38 | No change |
| Jaipur | Rs 104.77 | Rs 90.30 | No change |
| Lucknow | Rs 94.65 | Rs 87.76 | No change |
| Bhopal | Rs 107.23 | Rs 92.36 | No change |
| Indore | Rs 107.53 | Rs 92.55 | No change |
| Nagpur | Rs 103.89 | Rs 90.46 | No change |
| Patna | Rs 107.49 | Rs 93.43 | No change |
| Chandigarh | Rs 94.23 | Rs 82.07 | No change |
Note: Fuel prices are revised by oil marketing companies daily at 6:00 AM IST. The prices above reflect the May 24, 2026 morning revision. Prices vary by city due to state taxes, local levies, and transportation costs.
Why Is Petrol Cheaper in Delhi Than Mumbai?
The single biggest driver of city-to-city petrol price variation is state government taxation. The base price of petrol – set by international crude oil markets and refined locally – is the same across India. What makes Delhi petrol cost Rs 94.77 while Mumbai pays Rs 103.44 for the same litre is the difference in state VAT (Value Added Tax) and local levies.
| State | VAT on Petrol | VAT on Diesel | Effect on Price |
| Delhi | 19.40% | 16.75% | Lowest among major metros |
| Maharashtra | 26% + Rs 10.12/L surcharge | 24% | Highest among major metros |
| Karnataka | 25.92% + Rs 3/L cess | 14.34% + Rs 3/L cess | High state taxes |
| Tamil Nadu | 15% + Rs 11.52/L Road Dev Fund | 11% + Rs 9.62/L | Moderate-high |
| Telangana | 35.20% | 27% | Consistently highest VAT |
| Madhya Pradesh | 28% + Rs 4/L development cess | 23% | High — hence Bhopal Rs 107+ |
How India’s Petrol Price Is Calculated – The Full Breakdown
Most Indian drivers know petrol is expensive without understanding exactly why. Here is the complete breakdown for a litre of petrol in Delhi at Rs 94.77:
| Component | Amount (Rs) | Percentage of Final Price |
| Base price (crude + refining cost) | Rs 57.74 | 60.9% |
| Central Excise Duty | Rs 19.90 | 21.0% |
| Dealer Commission | Rs 3.77 | 4.0% |
| State VAT (Delhi 19.40%) | Rs 13.36 | 14.1% |
| TOTAL RETAIL PRICE | Rs 94.77 | 100% |
The critical insight: over 35% of what you pay for petrol in India goes directly to the government as tax (Central Excise + State VAT). The actual cost of producing the fuel is only 61 paise of every rupee you spend at the pump.
Dynamic Fuel Pricing – Why Does the Price Change Every Day?
India moved to daily dynamic fuel pricing in June 2017. Before that, prices were revised every two weeks. Under the current system, state-owned oil marketing companies – Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum – revise prices every day at 6:00 AM based on a 15-day average of international benchmark crude prices and the Rupee-USD exchange rate.
- Crude oil prices: India imports approximately 85% of its crude oil. When Brent crude rises internationally, Indian fuel prices follow
- Rupee-Dollar rate: Oil is priced globally in US dollars. When the Rupee weakens against the Dollar, the same crude costs more in Rupee terms
- Refining costs: Vary with operating efficiency and energy costs at Indian refineries
- Central Excise Duty: Can be changed by the central government – when crude spikes, the government sometimes reduces excise to cushion the consumer impact
How to Check Today’s Petrol Price for Your City
- Send an SMS: Type RSP followed by your city code to 9224992249 (IOCL service)
- Use the My Petrol app (available on Android and iOS – free)
- Check the IOCL, BPCL, or HPCL website directly – prices updated at 6:00 AM daily
- Google ‘petrol price today – Google shows a direct price widget for most major cities
- Check the FuelDost app – also shows nearby petrol stations and their prices
Will Petrol Prices Fall in the Near Future?
Petrol prices in India are influenced by two things the government controls (excise duty and state VAT) and one thing it does not (global crude oil prices). As of May 2026, Brent crude is trading at approximately USD 72–75 per barrel – a relatively stable range. Significant price cuts would require either a meaningful drop in crude prices or a government decision to reduce central excise duty. With the Union Budget scheduled for July 2026, there is some market expectation of a minor excise reduction as a populist measure – but this is speculative.
For vehicle owners, the practical response to persistent high fuel costs: check your tyre pressure monthly (under-inflation increases fuel consumption by 3–5%), maintain your engine oil and air filter, and drive smoothly – these three habits alone can reduce your monthly fuel spend by Rs 300–600.
CNG and EV – The Alternatives That Are Changing the Market
With petrol above Rs 100 in most cities, CNG and electric vehicles are increasingly attractive. The running cost per km for each fuel type:
| Fuel Type | Vehicle Example | Real Efficiency | Cost per km (May 2026) |
| Petrol | Maruti Swift | 22 kmpl | Rs 4.43/km (Mumbai) |
| Diesel | Hyundai Creta | 18 kmpl (highway) | Rs 4.99/km (Mumbai) |
| CNG | Maruti Alto CNG | 28 km/kg | Rs 2.91/km |
| Electric (home charging) | Tata Nexon EV | 17 kWh/100km | Rs 1.36/km |
| Electric (public DC fast) | Tata Nexon EV | 17 kWh/100km | Rs 2.81/km |
Electric vehicles charged at home deliver the lowest per-km running cost of any fuel type available in India today — less than a third of petrol cost in most cities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: At what time are petrol prices revised in India?
A: Indian oil marketing companies (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL) revise fuel prices daily at 6:00 AM IST. Prices after 6:00 AM reflect the day’s rates.
Q: Why does petrol cost more than diesel in India?
A: Petrol attracts a higher state VAT percentage than diesel in most Indian states, as diesel is considered an ‘essential commodity’ used by agriculture and heavy transport. The central excise duty on petrol has historically also been higher than diesel.
Q: Is it cheaper to buy petrol at different times of day?
A: No. Petrol prices are the same throughout the day at any given station – they only change once per day at 6:00 AM. Unlike electricity pricing, there is no off-peak discount for fuel in India.
Q: Which city has the cheapest petrol in India?
A: Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and some union territories have subsidised fuel. Among major cities, Delhi consistently has the cheapest petrol due to its lower VAT structure.