Consumers across India faced another blow on Monday, May 25, 2026, as petrol and diesel prices were increased once again. State-owned oil marketing companies announced a hike of Rs 2.61 per litre in petrol prices and Rs 2.71 per litre in diesel prices, marking the fourth fuel price increase in less than two weeks.
The latest revision comes amid continued volatility in global crude oil prices, with oil companies passing on the rising international costs to consumers. The repeated hikes have intensified concerns over inflation and the increasing burden on household budgets as transportation and logistics costs continue to climb.
Just two days earlier, on Saturday, May 23, fuel prices had already been revised upward. Petrol prices were raised by 87 paise per litre, while diesel became costlier by 91 paise per litre. In addition to liquid fuels, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in Delhi were also increased by Re 1 per kg, taking the retail price to Rs 81.09 per kg.
With Monday’s increase, fuel rates in major cities are expected to touch new highs, affecting daily commuters, transport operators, and businesses dependent on fuel-intensive operations. Experts believe that unless international crude prices stabilize, consumers may continue to face upward revisions in fuel prices in the coming weeks.
The frequent fuel price hikes are also likely to have a cascading effect on the prices of essential commodities, as higher transportation costs typically lead to increased retail prices. Economists warn that sustained fuel inflation could impact overall economic recovery and consumer spending.
Opposition parties have criticized the government over the continued rise in fuel prices, alleging inadequate intervention to protect consumers from global market fluctuations. Meanwhile, industry analysts suggest that oil companies are under pressure to recover losses incurred during periods when prices remained unchanged despite rising crude costs.
Consumers are now closely watching future price movements, hoping for relief amid rising living expenses and inflationary pressures.
