Petrol prices jump 4th time in May 2026: Delhi ₹102

What changed on Monday, May 25

Fuel prices were raised again across major Indian cities on Monday, May 25, marking the fourth hike in less than a fortnight. State-run oil marketing companies increased petrol by as much as ₹2.87 per litre and diesel by up to ₹2.81 per litre, effective Monday. The move was described as the steepest increase since the cycle of revisions resumed. The latest change follows a period of frozen retail prices before daily revisions restarted earlier in May. The repeated hikes have lifted retail rates sharply in a short span. The article linked the revisions to firm global crude oil prices and a weakening rupee. The rise is also expected to add to household and transport-related expenses.

Delhi crosses the ₹100 mark for petrol

In Delhi, petrol prices rose by ₹2.61 per litre in the latest revision. That took petrol to ₹102.12 per litre, breaching the ₹100 mark. Diesel in Delhi increased by ₹2.71 per litre to ₹95.20 per litre. The report also cited the pre-hike diesel price in Delhi at ₹92.49 per litre. The Delhi move was presented as part of broader increases across metro and other large cities. The hike in Delhi was not the highest in absolute terms among the cities mentioned, but it was notable for crossing the psychological ₹100 level. Industry sources were cited for the updated retail prices.

Cumulative increases since May 15

With Monday’s revision, the cumulative increase since May 15 has nearly touched ₹7.5 per litre, and was also described as being in the ₹7.50 to ₹8 per litre range. This cumulative figure refers to the total of multiple upward revisions over the period. The report said revisions resumed on May 15 after a long freeze in rates. The first round of increases on May 15 raised both petrol and diesel by ₹3 per litre. Subsequent revisions were reported on May 19 and May 23, followed by Monday’s hike. One section of the provided text also listed May 26 as the latest revision date, while repeatedly describing the hike as effective Monday, May 25.

Why oil companies are revising prices again

The article attributed the renewed increases to rising global crude oil prices. It also highlighted persistent weakness in the rupee as a contributing factor. Together, these factors can raise the local cost of imported crude and related products, leading to higher retail pump prices. The report framed the hikes as oil marketing companies passing on higher international prices to consumers. It also referenced volatility in global crude markets amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The changes were described as part of a resumed cycle of revisions rather than a one-off adjustment. The frequency of changes, four in under two weeks, stood out after the earlier freeze.

Where prices are highest among cities mentioned

Among the metro cities cited, Hyderabad recorded the highest petrol price at ₹115.73 per litre after an increase of ₹2.88. Thiruvananthapuram followed at ₹115.49 per litre for petrol. Jaipur saw the steepest rise in petrol prices among the cities listed, with a ₹3.51 per litre jump taking petrol to ₹113.35. Diesel rates also moved higher across the cities mentioned. Hyderabad’s diesel price was cited at ₹103.82 per litre after a ₹2.88 increase. Thiruvananthapuram’s diesel price rose to ₹104.41 per litre, and Jaipur registered a ₹3.34 jump to ₹98.39 per litre.

Key price points and one-day increases

Sequence of hikes highlighted in the report

Market impact: households, transport costs, and inflation sensitivity

A near ₹7.5 per litre cumulative increase in under two weeks raises routine spending for daily commuters and logistics operators. The report explicitly noted added pressure on household and transportation expenses after the latest hike. Diesel is particularly relevant for freight movement, while petrol is more visible for private vehicle owners in large cities. The frequency of revisions can also influence how quickly costs get passed through in local transport fares and delivery charges. The report did not provide estimates of second-order impacts, but it clearly framed the hikes as broad-based across major cities. For consumers, the practical takeaway is higher retail pump prices immediately from Monday.

Why this development matters for markets

Fuel prices are closely watched because they feed into operating costs for transport-intensive businesses and affect consumer budgets. The story also highlights the linkage between domestic retail prices and external variables mentioned in the report, specifically crude oil and the rupee. The return of frequent revisions after a prolonged freeze is itself a meaningful shift for market participants tracking input costs. Monday’s hike was described as the fourth in the series and the steepest since revisions resumed, making it an important data point within the current cycle. The report’s city comparisons also show meaningful variation in both absolute prices and one-day increases across locations.

Conclusion

India’s state-run oil marketing companies raised petrol and diesel prices again on Monday, May 25, taking Delhi petrol to ₹102.12 per litre and diesel to ₹95.20 per litre. With four hikes since May 15, the cumulative increase has reached nearly ₹7.5 per litre, with some sections describing a ₹7.50 to ₹8 per litre rise. The report linked the continued revisions to firm global crude prices and a weakening rupee, with volatility in crude markets also cited. Investors and consumers will now watch for the next revision, especially as the current cycle has seen repeated increases within a short period.