Fuel price surge reflects global oil turbulence

April 1, 2026 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani

Global energy market shifts are increasingly shaping domestic fuel prices in India.

Recent revisions by Indian Oil highlight this growing impact, especially on premium fuels and commercial energy products.

Indian Oil has sharply increased the price of XP100 petrol in Delhi, raising it from ₹149 to ₹160 per litre.

This premium fuel, tailored for high-performance cars and superbikes, now costs significantly more.

Similarly, Xtra Green premium diesel has seen a smaller hike, moving from ₹91.49 to ₹92.99 per litre.

Although no official explanation has been provided, global crude volatility and rising logistics costs appear to be key drivers.

Meanwhile, commercial LPG users are facing sustained price pressure. The cost of a 19-kg cylinder has jumped by over ₹300 within a month.

It now stands at ₹2,078.50, up from ₹1,768.50 on March 1. This marks the third increase in March and the fifth since the start of 2026. As a result, businesses dependent on LPG are likely to feel the pinch.

In addition, aviation fuel prices have surged dramatically. Aviation turbine fuel now costs ₹2,07,341.22 per kilolitre in Delhi, more than double its earlier level of ₹96,638.14.

This is the first time ATF prices have crossed the ₹2 lakh mark. Earlier, the highest levels were recorded in 2022 during global oil disruptions. Consequently, airlines may face higher operational costs, which could influence ticket pricing.

The recent hikes follow similar moves by other oil companies. Notably, HPCL raised its premium petrol price by ₹2 per litre in mid-March.

However, the government has taken steps to shield regular consumers. It reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre on March 27.

This measure aims to stabilise retail prices and support oil companies managing financial stress.

While premium fuel users and commercial sectors absorb rising costs, policy efforts continue to protect everyday consumers.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on February 07, 2017