On April 25, 2026, fuel prices across India remain unchanged. Petrol in Delhi is ₹94.77 per litre. Diesel is ₹87.67 per litre. In Mumbai, petrol is ₹103.54 per litre and diesel is ₹90.03 per litre.
The freeze has been going on even as international crude oil is trading between $94 and $106 per barrel — levels that, in normal circumstances, would have triggered a price revision.
City-Wise Fuel Prices Today (April 25, 2026)
Petrol (₹/litre):
- Delhi: ₹94.77
- Mumbai: ₹103.54
- Bangalore: ₹102.92–102.96
- Kolkata: ~₹104–105
- Hyderabad: ~₹107–108
- Chennai: ~₹100–101
Diesel (₹/litre):
- Delhi: ₹87.67
- Mumbai: ₹90.03
- Bangalore: ₹90.99
- Kolkata: ~₹91–92
- Chennai: ~₹92–93
Prices differ across states because of state VAT — which varies significantly. Maharashtra and Karnataka charge higher VAT than Delhi, which is why Mumbai and Bangalore are more expensive than the capital.
Also Read:Crude at $95 But Your Petrol Bill Didn't Move — Here's the Political Math Behind India's Fuel Freeze
The Crude vs Pump Price Gap
This is the real story. Crude oil is not cheap right now.
Brent crude is hovering between ₹105 and ₹106 per barrel internationally. US WTI crude is between $94 and $95. For India — which imports over 85% of its crude oil — this is expensive. Yet pump prices haven't moved.
The reason is political. State elections are around the corner in multiple states, and the central government has historically avoided fuel price hikes in election seasons. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) like Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) are absorbing the difference. Market analysts estimate the companies are losing approximately ₹1.2 per litre on current sales.
BPCL already reported a 30% drop in Q4 net profit — a visible symptom of this squeeze.
What's Keeping Crude High
The US-Iran military standoff is the dominant factor. Concerns about disruption to the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane — through which roughly 21% of global oil trade passes — are keeping markets on edge. US President Trump has issued stern warnings about Iranian activity in the strait, and naval engagements have reportedly taken place in the Indian Ocean.
OPEC+ production decisions and global demand recovery in Asia are adding upward pressure. The Indian government has responded by publicly reiterating that domestic fuel stocks are adequate and there is "no cause for panic buying."
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What This Means for You
For the everyday commuter in India — the auto driver in Patna, the truck operator in Rajasthan, the two-wheeler commuter in Pune — the flat price is a temporary relief. But OMCs cannot absorb losses indefinitely.
Once elections pass, a revision is likely. Analysts expect a potential ₹2–₹5 per litre increase in petrol prices in the coming months if crude stays elevated. For diesel, which drives freight and food prices, the stakes are even higher — a diesel hike feeds into inflation across the supply chain.
The GST Council has been considering whether to bring petrol and diesel under GST — a step that could rationalise prices and reduce inter-state disparity. But no decision has been made.
India's relationship with fuel pricing has always been complicated: global market realities pulled one way, domestic political arithmetic pulled the other. Right now, politics is winning. But the bills are adding up on the OMC balance sheets.
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FAQs
Q1. What is petrol price in Delhi today? ₹94.77 per litre as of April 25, 2026.
Q2. Why is petrol so much more expensive in Mumbai than Delhi? Maharashtra levies higher VAT on petrol compared to Delhi. State taxes account for a major portion of the final pump price.
Q3. Will petrol prices increase soon? Market analysts expect a revision of ₹2–₹5 per litre after election pressures ease, if crude oil stays elevated.
Q4. How often are fuel prices revised in India? Since June 2017, India operates a dynamic pricing mechanism with daily revision capability. However, in practice, prices are often held unchanged for extended periods due to political and policy considerations.
Q5. What is causing global crude oil prices to stay high? US-Iran tensions and Strait of Hormuz disruption fears, OPEC+ production management, and recovering Asian demand.