Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has increased the prices of premium petrol and diesel in Delhi, with the premium petrol XP100 now retailing at Rs 160 per litre, up from Rs 149. Alongside this, the price of high-octane XP100 petrol, intended for high-end vehicles and superbikes, has seen an Rs 11 increase. The price of premium diesel has also risen to Rs 92.99 per litre from Rs 91.49.
On the same day, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices in Delhi were briefly doubled, reaching a record high before being rolled back for domestic airlines. The initial hike saw ATF prices surge to Rs 2,07,341 per kilolitre from Rs 96,638, marking the first time the fuel crossed the Rs 2 lakh mark. However, within hours, the rate for domestic airlines was revised to Rs 1,04,927 per kilolitre.
Additionally, commercial LPG cylinders have experienced significant price hikes over the past month. A 19-kg LPG cylinder now costs Rs 2,078.50 in Delhi, up from Rs 1,768.50 on March 1 — an increase of over Rs 300 in just a month. This marks the third hike since March 1 and the fifth since January 2026.
The price increases come amid rising global oil and fuel prices due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict and supply disruptions related to the Strait of Hormuz. The government had recently reduced excise duties on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre each on March 27 to help mitigate the impact of rising costs.
Indian Oil has not officially explained the reasons behind the recent price hikes, but industry analysts attribute the increase to global supply disruptions and escalating oil prices. Despite the surge, ATF prices for domestic airlines have been selectively adjusted to prevent a sudden shock, with the recent revision bringing them below the previous peak of Rs 1.1 lakh per kilolitre recorded in 2022 amid global turmoil.
The recent developments reflect the volatile energy market and ongoing efforts by authorities to manage fuel prices amid international tensions.
