Published May 23, 2026 | 10:50 AM ⚊ Updated May 23, 2026 | 12:16 PM
A petrol bunk in Kochi, Kerala. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Fuel prices in India have risen for the third time in 10 days, with petrol now at ₹108.09 per litre in Bengaluru and diesel touching ₹112.81 in Hyderabad. The latest hike of 80–97 paise/litre reflects ongoing global crude volatility and mounting domestic inflationary pressures. Meanwhile, citizens online are raising frustration over rising fuel costs.
South Indian states continue to bear some of the highest fuel prices in the country as oil marketing companies implemented yet another round of increases today. Petrol prices were hiked by 87 paise and diesel rose by 91 paise.
This marks the third hike in just 10 days, driven by persistently high global crude oil prices amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia and supply concerns around the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil companies raised petrol and diesel prices by approximately 80–97 paise/litre across major cities.
Over the last three hikes, the total increase adds up to nearly Rs 5/litre.
Petrol has gone up by Rs 4.77 and diesel by Rs 4.81 since 15 May, when state-owned oil firms began passing on higher global energy costs in a phased manner.
This fresh increase comes on top of a major Rs 3/litre hike implemented around 15 May, 2026 — the first major revision in nearly four years.
Southern cities, which already face high state taxes and VAT, have been hit particularly hard:
Also Read: Consumers hit hard as fuel prices hiked second time in a week
Consumers in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Kerala are feeling the pinch. Daily commuters, transport operators, and small businesses are expected to face rising costs, which could translate into higher freight and goods prices in the coming days.
Political reactions have been sharp, with the Opposition slamming the Centre for burdening common people at a time of global uncertainty. On social media, citizens all over India have expressed frustration over repeated hikes despite earlier periods of price stability.
Oil marketing companies (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL) have stated that the revisions are necessary to offset losses accumulated from not passing on the full impact of international crude price surges.
