Tag: Diesel

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Petrol ₹0.50, diesel ₹20, ATF ₹15 as windfall tax cut

The government has cut the windfall tax on exports of petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), giving oil exporters some relief as global crude prices remain volatile. The revised rates took effect from September 16 and will remain in force for the next fortnight.

The export levy on petrol has been reduced to ₹0.50 per litre from ₹1.50, while the tax on diesel exports has been lowered to ₹20 per litre from ₹25. The levy on aviation turbine fuel, or ATF, has also been cut to ₹15 per litre from ₹19.

The latest decision partly reverses the increase announced at the government’s previous review on September 1. The diesel levy has been reduced by ₹5 per litre, while the petrol and ATF levies have been lowered by ₹1 and ₹4 per litre, respectively.

The government reviews the windfall tax every two weeks, allowing it to adjust the levy in response to changes in international crude prices, refined petroleum product prices and refinery margins. The latest revision comes against the backdrop of sharp movements in global oil markets caused by concerns over supplies from the Middle East.

The structure of the diesel levy has also changed. The earlier ₹25-per-litre charge consisted of ₹24 in Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) and ₹1 in Road and Infrastructure Cess. Under the revised structure, the SAED has been reduced to ₹20 per litre and the Road and Infrastructure Cess has been brought down to zero.

For petrol exports, the levy has fallen from ₹1.50 to ₹0.50 per litre. The ATF export tax has come down from ₹19 to ₹15 per litre.

The reduction comes as crude oil prices ease after rising sharply earlier in the week. Brent crude futures were down around 1.2% at $104.59 a barrel in early trading on Thursday, while US West Texas Intermediate crude fell about 1.1% to $101.29 a barrel. Both benchmarks had declined by around $3 on Wednesday.

One factor behind the recent decline in oil prices has been reports that Saudi Arabia is offering additional crude cargoes to Asian refiners. The supplies are being arranged through ship-to-ship transfers off Oman’s Sohar port, helping ease some immediate concerns about shortages.

The global oil market remains sensitive to developments in the Middle East. Concerns about attacks on oil infrastructure, disruptions to crude flows and risks around the Strait of Hormuz have kept prices elevated and contributed to sharp daily movements.

The latest windfall tax reduction is therefore being viewed in the context of changing global oil conditions. India has been reviewing the export levy regularly as crude and refined fuel prices move in response to developments overseas.

India introduced export levies on petroleum products on March 27, 2026, amid the West Asia crisis. The measure was aimed at discouraging excessive exports and ensuring sufficient availability of petroleum products in the domestic market. The fortnightly review mechanism allows the government to change the tax burden as market conditions shift.

The latest move, however, does not mean cheaper petrol or diesel for Indian consumers. The government has not changed the existing excise duty on petrol and diesel meant for domestic consumption. The reduction applies specifically to petroleum products exported from India.

India is a major exporter of refined petroleum products, making changes in export duties important for refiners and oil companies with overseas sales. Petroleum exports accounted for 22.9% of India’s petroleum, oil and lubricants production and 10.8% of gross exports in June 2026, according to PPAC data cited in reports.

Lower export taxes can reduce the burden on refiners selling petrol, diesel and ATF in overseas markets. The impact on individual companies will depend on their export volumes, refining margins and the direction of international fuel prices.

The next review will be closely watched by refiners, exporters and investors. A sustained rise in crude prices could influence the government’s decision on the export levy, while further easing in global oil prices could create room for additional changes.

The immediate outlook for crude oil will continue to depend heavily on developments in the Middle East and the extent to which supply disruptions persist. Any prolonged disruption could push international oil prices higher again, affecting India’s import bill, refinery margins and the broader energy market.

 

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Petrol export tax goes zero, diesel levy cut

The government has eased the windfall tax burden on petroleum exports, cutting levies on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) while removing the charge on petrol exports altogether.

The changes took effect on August 15, with the government bringing the export levy on petrol down to zero from ₹3.5 per litre. The duty on diesel has been reduced to ₹24 per litre from ₹25.5, while the levy on ATF has been lowered to ₹19.5 per litre from ₹22 per litre.

The latest move comes less than two weeks after the government sharply raised these levies, highlighting how quickly its petroleum tax policy is responding to movements in the global oil market.

The windfall tax was introduced as a way to capture unusually high earnings from the oil sector when international crude prices surge. For refiners and producers, the levy effectively reduces the gains they can make from exporting petroleum products when global prices and refining margins rise sharply.

The government has been reviewing the tax every fortnight, giving it flexibility to change the rates depending on international crude prices, fuel margins and domestic market conditions.

The latest reduction is particularly significant for petrol exporters. The government has completely removed the ₹3.5-per-litre levy imposed earlier this month. This could improve export realisations for refiners selling petrol into overseas markets, although the actual impact will depend on global fuel prices, freight costs and the rupee-dollar exchange rate.

Diesel exporters will also see a smaller tax burden, with the levy reduced by ₹1.50 per litre. The ATF export duty has been cut by ₹2.50 per litre.

The changes come at a time when international energy markets remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments. Crude prices have faced repeated swings because of concerns over supply disruptions, shipping routes and tensions in the Middle East.

India, as one of Asia’s largest refining centres, is closely exposed to these global movements. Indian refiners import crude, process it into products such as petrol, diesel and ATF, and sell a portion of those products in international markets.

That makes the level of export taxation important for refinery economics. When duties rise, overseas sales become less attractive. When they fall, refiners have greater flexibility to take advantage of international demand and favourable refining margins.

The government’s decision also comes after a substantial increase announced earlier in August. On August 3, the petrol export levy was raised to ₹3.5 per litre from ₹2.5. The diesel levy jumped to ₹25.5 per litre from ₹15.5, while the ATF levy increased to ₹22 per litre from ₹14.5.

The reversal now gives exporters some relief and reflects the government’s willingness to recalibrate the tax as market conditions change.

The windfall tax itself has been used intermittently in response to international oil prices. It was first introduced in July 2022, when crude prices surged following disruptions in global energy markets. As prices subsequently moderated, the levy was withdrawn.

It returned in March 2026 amid another sharp rise in global oil prices and concerns over disruptions linked to tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

At that time, the government was also focused on protecting the domestic market from the impact of expensive crude. The tax structure was adjusted alongside measures aimed at limiting the impact of higher international energy prices on Indian consumers.

The latest decision, however, is more favourable to the refining and export side of the industry. Lower duties mean companies retain a larger share of the revenue generated from overseas sales.

That does not necessarily translate into cheaper petrol or diesel for Indian consumers. The latest notification concerns export taxation and does not directly change the retail prices of petrol, diesel or ATF in the domestic market.

Domestic fuel prices depend on several factors, including international crude prices, refining costs, taxes, margins and the pricing policies followed by oil marketing companies.

The broader significance lies in the government’s approach to managing the petroleum sector during a period of considerable uncertainty. Such changes in economic policy and global market conditions can affect government revenue, export competitiveness and the earnings of refiners and producers. A high windfall tax can increase government revenue when refiners and producers benefit from elevated international prices, but it can also reduce export competitiveness.

A lower levy, on the other hand, can support the economics of exports while potentially reducing revenue collected through the tax.

For Indian refiners, the latest move therefore provides some breathing room. Companies will now be able to export petrol without the additional ₹3.5-per-litre charge and will face lower levies on diesel and ATF.

The reduction in petrol export duty, along with lower diesel and ATF export levies, is likely to be watched closely by refiners and traders as they assess export economics for the weeks ahead.

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Government hikes diesel, ATF export duty

India has increased the windfall tax on exports of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) while reducing the levy on petrol exports, reflecting changes in global crude oil prices and refining margins.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the export duty on diesel has been raised to ₹5.50 per litre from ₹4.50 per litre, while the levy on ATF has increased to ₹2.50 per litre from ₹1.50 per litre. At the same time, the government has reduced the windfall tax on petrol exports to ₹2 per litre from ₹3 per litre.

The revised tax rates came into effect on July 16 and are part of the government’s fortnightly review of windfall taxes. These duties are adjusted regularly based on international crude oil prices and the profit margins earned by refiners on exports.

Windfall taxes were first introduced in 2022 to ensure that the government shares in the extra profits earned by oil producers and refiners when global energy prices surge. The tax also aims to encourage adequate fuel supplies in the domestic market while allowing refiners to continue exporting petroleum products.

The latest revision reflects stronger refining margins for diesel and jet fuel in overseas markets, prompting the government to increase export duties on these products. Lower margins on petrol exports, however, led to a reduction in the tax on gasoline shipments.

India is one of the world’s largest fuel exporters, with private refiners such as Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy accounting for a significant share of overseas shipments. Changes in export duties can influence refiners’ profitability, export volumes and domestic fuel availability.

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Diesel shortage pushes freight costs higher

Truck operators across parts of the country are facing difficulties due to a diesel shortage, leading to higher transportation costs and concerns over possible increases in prices of essential goods, including vegetables.

Transporters say the shortage has disrupted operations and increased waiting times for fuel supply, affecting the movement of trucks. As a result, many operators are planning to increase freight charges to manage rising costs and operational pressure.

In Bengaluru, truckers have proposed a freight rate increase of around 10%. Industry representatives said the decision was being considered to offset higher expenses linked to fuel availability and transport operations.

Any increase in freight rates is expected to affect the prices of goods that depend heavily on road transport. Vegetables and other daily-use items could become costlier as transportation expenses often influence retail prices.

Truck operators said the situation has created challenges for drivers and transport businesses, especially for long-distance movement of goods. Delays in fuel availability can also affect supply chains and delivery schedules.

The transport sector plays an important role in moving food products, industrial goods and consumer items across states. Any disruption in transport operations can have a wider impact on markets and supply systems.

Traders and market observers have expressed concern that higher transport costs could eventually be passed on to consumers. Vegetable prices, in particular, could see an impact if freight charges rise further.

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Petrol at ₹96.72, diesel ₹89.62 after fresh hike

Petrol and diesel prices increased again on Monday, with fuel rates being raised by ₹2 per litre across the country. The latest revision marks the fourth increase within the last 10 days, continuing an upward trend in fuel costs and raising concerns over its impact on transportation expenses and household budgets.

Following the latest hike, petrol prices in Delhi rose to ₹96.72 per litre, while diesel climbed to ₹89.62 per litre. Similar increases were recorded across major cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, although final retail prices vary from state to state because of local taxes and value-added tax (VAT) rates.

The repeated increase in fuel prices over the last two weeks has drawn attention as it is likely to affect both consumers and businesses. Fuel prices play a direct role in determining transportation and logistics costs, and a sustained rise can have a wider impact on the economy. Increased transportation expenses often lead to higher prices of essential goods and services, eventually affecting household spending.

For daily commuters, the latest hike means additional expenditure on travel. Commercial vehicle operators, taxi services and logistics firms may also face rising operating costs due to higher fuel bills. Industry experts believe sectors that depend heavily on transportation could feel the impact if prices continue to move upward.

The continued rise in fuel prices has also sparked concerns about inflation. Higher fuel costs can contribute to increased prices across multiple sectors because transportation remains a major component in the supply chain.

With four fuel price hikes already recorded in just 10 days, market observers and consumers will now closely watch future revisions to see whether prices stabilise or continue their upward movement in the coming weeks.

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Petrol, diesel up by 90 paise again

The fuel prices have gone up once again across the country, with petrol and diesel becoming costlier by nearly 90 paise per litre on Tuesday. The increase comes less than a week after a previous hike, making this the second revision in a short span and raising concerns among consumers and businesses.

With the latest increase, people in major cities will now have to pay more at fuel stations. In Delhi, petrol prices have crossed ₹98 per litre, while diesel prices have also moved higher. Similar increases were seen in cities including Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

The fresh revision is expected to have an impact beyond vehicle owners. Fuel prices play a key role in the overall economy, and any increase usually affects transportation and logistics costs. Over time, this can lead to higher prices for goods and services, as businesses may pass on additional expenses to consumers.

For many households, repeated fuel price hikes can put added pressure on monthly budgets. Daily commuters, transport operators and businesses that depend heavily on road transport are likely to feel the effect more immediately. Rising fuel costs can also influence the prices of essential goods, including food and consumer products.

The latest increase comes at a time when oil companies are dealing with pressure linked to global crude oil prices and market conditions. International developments and changes in crude prices often influence domestic fuel pricing decisions.

It is expected that the fuel prices will continue to depend largely on global oil trends and international developments in the coming weeks. Consumers and businesses are now watching closely to see whether prices stabilise or if further revisions follow.

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Petrol, diesel up by ₹3, CNG prices by ₹2

Petrol, diesel and CNG prices were increased across India on Friday following a sharp rise in global crude oil prices amid escalating tensions involving Iran. The fuel price revision comes as international energy markets remain volatile due to fears of supply disruptions in West Asia.

Oil marketing companies increased petrol and diesel prices by around ₹3 per litre in major cities, while CNG prices were raised by ₹2 per kilogram. The revised rates came into effect early Friday morning and impacted fuel prices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and several other cities.

In Delhi, petrol prices crossed ₹108 per litre while diesel moved above ₹97 per litre after the latest revision. Similar increases were recorded in other metropolitan cities depending on local taxes and transportation charges.

Officials said the hike was driven by rising global crude oil prices and increased import costs. International markets have witnessed sharp fluctuations in recent days following concerns that tensions involving Iran could affect oil production and shipping routes in the region.

India imports a large portion of its crude oil requirements, making domestic fuel prices highly sensitive to developments in global energy markets. Analysts said any prolonged geopolitical conflict in West Asia could keep crude prices elevated and increase pressure on Indian fuel retailers.

The increase in CNG prices is also expected to impact public transport services, commercial vehicles and auto-rickshaw operations in urban areas. Transport operators warned that higher fuel costs may lead to an increase in freight rates and passenger fares in the coming weeks.

The latest revision has triggered criticism from opposition parties, which accused the Centre of adding to the financial burden on common people already affected by inflation and rising living expenses. Several leaders demanded tax reductions and immediate relief measures to control fuel prices.

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India cuts export duty on diesel, jet fuel

India has reduced export duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), offering some relief to refiners as global oil prices remain volatile. The new rates came into effect on May 1.

Export duty on diesel has been brought down to ₹23 per litre from ₹55.5, while jet fuel duty has been reduced to ₹33 per litre from ₹42. There is no export duty on petrol. Despite these changes, taxes on fuels sold within the country remain unchanged.

The decision comes at a time when global crude oil prices have surged due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply concerns, particularly in West Asia. As a major importer of crude oil, India is sensitive to such fluctuations, which can impact both fuel availability and pricing.

Earlier, the government had raised export duties to ensure enough fuel stayed within the country and to prevent companies from exporting more for higher profits. The latest move signals a shift, allowing refiners more flexibility while still keeping domestic supply stable.

For consumers, there is no immediate impact, as petrol and diesel prices at the pump remain steady. The government has maintained these rates to avoid passing on the burden of rising global prices to the public.

The changes also come as the aviation sector faces higher fuel costs, with ATF being a major expense for airlines. Lower export duties may help ease some of the pressure on fuel supply and pricing.

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Petrol duty reduced to ₹3, diesel to zero

The central government on March 27, 2026, announced a major cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel to reduce the impact of rising global oil prices. The duty on petrol has been reduced from ₹13 to ₹3 per litre, while diesel duty has been cut from ₹10 to zero, effectively lowering taxes by ₹10 per litre on both fuels.

This move comes as crude oil prices have surged due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Supply concerns, especially around key oil routes, have pushed prices above $100 per barrel. As India depends heavily on oil imports, this has increased pressure on fuel prices and the overall economy.

The government said the decision was taken to protect consumers from a sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices. By reducing taxes, it aims to absorb part of the global price increase instead of passing the entire burden onto the public.

However, the benefit may not be immediately visible at petrol pumps. Oil marketing companies like Indian Oil, BPCL, and HPCL are currently facing losses because they have not fully raised fuel prices in line with global crude rates. Industry experts believe these companies may use the tax relief to recover losses before lowering retail prices.

Crude oil prices have seen a steep rise in recent weeks, jumping from about $70 per barrel to over $100. This sudden increase has made fuel costlier to produce and sell, creating challenges for both companies and the government.

To manage the situation, the government has also introduced export duties on petroleum products. This step is meant to ensure enough fuel supply within the country and to control price fluctuations.

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No immediate rise in petrol, diesel prices

The government has decided not to raise petrol and diesel prices immediately, even though global crude oil prices have crossed $100 per barrel. Officials said the situation in international oil markets is being closely monitored before any decision on fuel price changes is taken.

For now, oil marketing companies are likely to absorb the higher cost of crude instead of passing it on to consumers. The rise in global oil prices has mainly been driven by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which have increased concerns over supply disruptions.

Authorities also said that India currently has enough fuel stocks, ensuring stable supply across the country.