Fuel Prices Today, 3 April 2026: Fuel prices across major Indian cities remain largely stable on Friday, April 3, 2026, with state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs)—IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL—continuing to hold regular petrol and diesel rates unchanged for the second consecutive day. Global crude benchmarks are trading lower, with Brent crude retreating toward the $97–$98 per barrel range as signals of geopolitical de-escalation in West Asia ease supply concerns. However, premium fuel variants and private retailers continue to charge significantly higher rates, reflecting the residual pressure from last month’s crude oil spike.
Fuel Prices Today (April 3, 2026)
| Fuel Type | Variant | Price (Delhi) |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | Regular | ₹94.77 per Litre |
| Petrol | Premium (XP95/Speed) | ₹101.89 per Litre |
| Petrol | XP100 (High-Octane) | ₹160.00 per Litre |
| Diesel | Regular | ₹87.67 per Litre |
| Diesel | High Speed / Turbo | ₹92.45 per Litre |
| CNG | Standard | ₹77.09 per Kg |
| LPG | Domestic (14.2 kg) | ₹913.00 per Cylinder |
| LPG | Commercial (19 kg) | ₹1,884.50 per Cylinder |
| PNG | Domestic (Piped Gas) | ₹47.89 per SCM |
Metro City Comparison – Petrol & Diesel (per Litre)
| City | Petrol (per Litre) | Diesel (per Litre) |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | ₹94.77 | ₹87.67 |
| Mumbai | ₹103.50 | ₹90.01 |
| Kolkata | ₹105.41 | ₹91.85 |
| Chennai | ₹100.80 | ₹92.34 |
| Bangalore | ₹102.92 | ₹88.94 |
| Hyderabad | ₹107.46 | ₹95.65 |
Note: Prices at state-run outlets (IOCL/BPCL/HPCL). Rates at private pumps (Shell, Nayara) may be ₹5–₹25 higher.
Private Retailer Rates (Delhi) – April 3, 2026
| Retailer | Petrol (per Litre) | Diesel (per Litre) |
|---|---|---|
| Shell India | ₹100.18 | ₹93.08 |
| Nayara Energy (Essar) | ₹99.54 | ₹92.41 |
| BP India | ₹99.12 | ₹92.10 |
Private retailers have raised prices by ₹5–₹7.41 per litre since late March to manage rising import costs.
CNG Rates—Key Cities (per Kg)
| City | CNG Rate |
|---|---|
| Delhi (IGL) | ₹77.09 |
| Mumbai (MGL) | ₹80.00 |
| Noida / Greater Noida | ₹79.17 |
| Pune (MGL) | ₹85.50 |
| Ahmedabad (GSPC) | ₹76.65 |
| Bangalore (GAIL) | ₹83.20 |
LPG Cylinder Prices—Key Cities (14.2 kg Domestic)
| City | LPG Price |
|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹913.00 |
| Mumbai | ₹913.00 |
| Kolkata | ₹939.50 |
| Chennai | ₹929.50 |
| Bangalore | ₹913.00 |
| Hyderabad | ₹913.00 |
PMUY (Ujjwala Yojana) beneficiaries continue to receive a ₹300 subsidy per cylinder, bringing their effective cost to approximately ₹613 per cylinder in Delhi.
Recent Key Market Developments
- Premium Fuel Surge: On April 1, 2026, Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) raised the price of its high-octane XP100 petrol in Delhi to ₹160 per litre (up from ₹149), a jump of ₹11 per litre in a single revision
- Private Retailer Hikes: Shell India and Nayara Energy have increased rates by ₹5–₹7.41 per litre since late March to manage rising import costs. Shell’s standard petrol in Bengaluru now stands at approximately ₹119.85 per litre
- Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF): ATF prices surged by over 100% in early April following the Hormuz supply disruption, with potential knock-on effects on domestic airfares. Airlines are reportedly seeking fare revision approvals from DGCA
- Commercial LPG: The 19 kg commercial cylinder now costs ₹1,884.50 in Delhi — up sharply from ₹1,740 in February 2026, squeezing restaurants, dhabas, and small food businesses
- Excise Duty: Effective March 27, 2026, the central government slashed excise duty by ₹10 per litre on petrol (now ₹3/L) and zeroed it out on diesel to cushion the blow of global crude volatility
Global Oil Market Today – April 3, 2026
Global oil prices are continuing to ease from last month’s extreme highs, as peace signals from the US–Iran front reduce the immediate threat to Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.
| Benchmark | Price (USD/bbl) | Daily Change | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Crude | ~$100.50 | -2.7% | Retreating from March highs |
| WTI Crude | ~$98.80 | -2.5% | Below $100 threshold |
| Urals Oil | ~$123.50 | NA | Reflects shift in trade flows |
Critical Market Drivers
- De-escalation Signals: Prices fell sharply after US President Donald Trump reiterated that the Iran war could end within weeks, sparking a relief rally. However, analysts caution that the Strait of Hormuz remains partially restricted, and any reversal in talks could push Brent back above $110
- OPEC+ Supply Boost: OPEC+ members—led by Saudi Arabia and Russia—have agreed to increase collective output by 206,000 barrels per day starting this month to help stabilize global supply and price levels
- Strait of Hormuz: The critical chokepoint—through which roughly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil passes—remains under threat. Multiple tankers have diverted to longer Cape of Good Hope routes, adding freight costs that eventually filter into Indian import prices
- Rupee Factor: The Indian rupee has weakened to approximately ₹87.2 per USD, meaning even a modest global crude price is amplified when translated into rupee-denominated import costs for OMCs
- OMC Under-Recovery: Despite the excise duty cut, Indian OMCs are estimated to be under-recovering approximately ₹4–₹6 per litre on diesel and are operating at thin margins on petrol, raising the risk of a retail price hike if crude stays elevated
6-Month Fuel Price Trend (Delhi – Regular Petrol & Diesel)
| Month | Petrol (Regular) | Diesel (Regular) | Market Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | ₹94.77 | ₹87.67 | Stability phase; OMCs absorb global costs |
| November 2025 | ₹94.77 | ₹87.67 | Prices remain frozen at state-run pumps |
| December 2025 | ₹94.72 | ₹87.62 | Minor local adjustments |
| January 2026 | ₹94.72 | ₹87.62 | Domestic rates decouple from rising crude |
| February 2026 | ₹94.72 | ₹87.62 | Geopolitical tensions trigger global spikes |
| March 2026 | ₹94.77 | ₹87.67 | ₹10 Excise Cut; Premium fuels hiked |
| April 3, 2026 | ₹94.77 | ₹87.67 | Current Rate |
What This Means for Consumers
- Regular Fuel Buyers: State-run pump prices for regular petrol and diesel remain unchanged at ₹94.77/L and ₹87.67/L in Delhi—steady for now, but under review if crude remains above $100
- Premium Fuel Users: XP100 buyers are now paying ₹160/L—a near-7% hike since March. XP95/Speed variants also sit ~₹7 above regular petrol
- Private Pump Customers: Shell, Nayara, and BP charge ₹5–₹25 more per litre. Consumers near state-run outlets are advised to fill up there until market stabilizes
- CNG & EV Users: CNG remains a significantly cheaper alternative at ₹77.09/kg in Delhi. Electric vehicle (EV) users are insulated entirely from these price pressures, a trend that is likely to accelerate EV adoption in Tier-1 cities
- LPG Households: Domestic cylinder prices remain at the post-March hike level of ₹913. The next scheduled review is expected in mid-April; any further global crude spike could push prices above ₹950
- Air Travellers: ATF’s dramatic rise is expected to translate into higher airfares by May 2026 if oil does not correct meaningfully. Budget airline passengers should watch for fare announcements in the coming weeks
How Fuel Prices Are Determined in India
Retail petrol and diesel prices in India are determined by a dynamic pricing formula revised daily at 6 AM by OMCs. The final pump price is made up of the base price (linked to international crude benchmarks), freight charges, excise duty (central), dealer commission, and VAT (state-level). This is why prices vary significantly between states—Hyderabad and Bhopal tend to be among the most expensive metros due to higher state VAT, while Chandigarh, a Union Territory, offers the cheapest fuel among major cities.
Disclaimer: Fuel prices are subject to daily revision by oil marketing companies. All rates listed are indicative and may vary by outlet, location, and date. Please check with your local fuel station or the official IOCL/BPCL/HPCL apps for real-time pricing.
