Diesel is the backbone of India’s transport and logistics economy, powering trucks, buses, tractors, generators and large sections of commercial transport. Because diesel is heavily linked to freight movement, agriculture and industry, any price change can quickly ripple through the broader economy. Diesel prices in India depend on global crude oil prices, refining costs, currency movements, taxes imposed by the Centre and states, dealer commissions and oil marketing company pricing decisions. Major retailers include Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. Since state taxes differ, diesel prices vary across regions. Diesel rates are especially sensitive because they influence transport costs, food prices and inflation trends. Governments and economists closely monitor diesel pricing during periods of rising crude oil prices. Over time, diesel demand is also changing as cleaner technologies, electric mobility and alternative fuels slowly reshape India’s energy mix.
In an interview on Chakravyuh, Dr. John Sfakianakis, Chief Economist of the Gulf Research Center, analysed the escalating geopolitical and economic crisis across West Asia.
Amid escalating crude oil rates driven by West Asia tensions, government sources have confirmed that no price hike is being planned for petrol and diesel. With global crude prices expected to remain volatile, the government is prioritising energy security and may subsidise oil marketing companies to absorb price pressures rather than passing them on to consumers. To mitigate supply disruptions around Iranian sectors, plans are underway to diversify crude procurement to Iraq and Saudi Arabia while maintaining Russian crude imports. Oil marketing companies currently face under-recoveries of Rs 20 to 25 per litre for diesel and Rs 5 to 10 per litre for petrol.
On the Business Today Show, host Sakshi Batra tracks Dalal Street closing action alongside key corporate developments. Top global rating agencies, including S&P, Fitch, ADB, and Moody's, have raised India's FY27 economic growth projections to around 7%, triggering a rally across domestic equities. Sensex and Nifty closed firmly higher, led by gains in metals, real estate, FMCG, and PSU banking stocks. Market expert Abhishek Basumallick discusses how global rating revisions impact sentiment, the influence of elevated crude oil prices hovering near 100 dollars a barrel, and investment opportunities in the metals and consumption sectors. Additionally, the broadcast reveals that no retail petrol or diesel price hikes are planned by the Indian government despite rising crude volatility. The report also highlights corporate updates, including Airtel Money's planned London Stock Exchange listing, Microsoft job cuts across Xbox teams, and significant single-day moves in shares of Whirlpool India and Optiemus Infracom ahead of the upcoming National Stock Exchange listing.
During an address at the United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump issued sharp warnings against Iran, calling it the primary sponsor of terror and presenting a choice between a post-midterm deal or complete annihilation. Trump also called for global economic isolation of Tehran and advocated renaming artificial intelligence to super intelligence in official records. Evaluating the global fallout on News Track, energy expert Dr Anas Alhaj explained that crude supplies remain sufficient while refinery bottlenecks have triggered a severe international diesel and petroleum product crunch. He noted that India has managed its crude reserves effectively through discounted Russian supplies despite tariff threats. Former Indian Ambassador to the United States Meera Shankar highlighted that Trump's remarks targeted domestic US audiences, noting that India must navigate complex regional dynamics by balancing ties with Iran, Gulf nations, Israel, and the United States while accelerating its transition towards non-fossil fuel energy.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, energy markets expert Dr. Anas Alhajji analyzed the global energy landscape, Hormuz Strait tensions, and the impact of geopolitical developments on India. Dr. Alhajji clarified that current market disruptions stem from refined products rather than crude oil, stating, 'The crisis is in diesel. That's where the crisis is.' He dismissed rhetoric surrounding US President Donald Trump's remarks at the United Nations, asserting that market fundamentals remain detached from political speeches. Evaluating India's strategic response, Dr. Alhajji highlighted how New Delhi successfully replenished its inventories by importing discounted Russian crude, in contrast to Japan's slower recovery under G7 restrictions. He noted that while Indian refiners face high margins because global refineries are maxed out, India faces unique challenges in liquefied petroleum gas supplies due to shifts in Saudi Arabian production. Additionally, he emphasized that US tariff legislation with a 180-day grace period would not severely disrupt Indian refinery operations.
A Telangana police patrol vehicle transporting detained Bharat Rashtra Samithi leaders ran out of diesel in Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's constituency. Visuals shared on social media by party workers showed supporters pushing the stalled police van after it stopped on the road. The stationary police vehicle reportedly blocked an ambulance carrying a pregnant woman, prompting workers to move the vehicle aside to clear the path. Bharat Rashtra Samithi leaders mocked the state government over the incident, while police are yet to confirm the situation.
On the Business Today Show with Sakshi Batra, stock markets turned volatile as the Nifty slipped below the 24,100 mark to end 116 points lower at 24,090, while the Sensex dropped 250 points to trade near 77,200. Broad-market weakness persisted despite strong NVIDIA results, while Hyundai announced plans to launch or refresh over 100 models by 2030 to compete with Toyota and Chinese rivals. Market guest Abhishek Basumallik noted that the Indian stock market is taking a breather following the earnings season and highlighted structural strength in private banks due to historic low NPAs. Reporting on health concerns, Neetu Chandra Sharma detailed a sudden shortage of swine flu medication oseltamivir in Delhi NCR due to low past inventories after a spike in H1N1 cases. Additionally, JSW MG Motor India Director Parth Jindal discussed the launch of the Hector Tomahawk plug-in hybrid, dubbed internally as the 'diesel killer'. Finally, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal spoke exclusively to India Today on strengthening India-Japan ties, citing a 7 lakh crore rupee investment commitment.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday took a brief ride on one of the newly launched government buses after flagging off a fleet of 300 vehicles across the state. During the visit, Vijay was seen interacting with a conductor inside the bus before posing for photographs with him, apparently at the staffer's request. The moment, captured on video, has since drawn attention on social media. The new fleet, procured at a cost of Rs 127.21 crore, comprises 164 diesel buses and 136 BS-VI compliant CNG buses. The vehicles were immediately deployed from major transit hubs, including Kilambakkam and Koyambedu, to strengthen connectivity and reduce waiting times for commuters.
This edition of News Today examines the fourth fuel price hike in two weeks amid the West Asia crisis.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivakumar will be travelling to the national capital following a summons from the Congress high command amid buzz over a Cabinet reshuffle and leadership change in the state.
The big focus of this episode of 5 Live is on the central government's eviction notice issued to the Delhi Gymkhana Club, asking it to vacate the 27.3-acre Lutyens premises by June 5.
Let's be honest, the hikes are inevitable given the surge in global crude prices. But two nagging questions remain. Are fuel prices being dictated by market conditions or by election calendars? And secondly, why was the benefit of low global crude prices never passed on to us, the middle class consumers of this country?
The big talking point of this episode of News Today is the fuel prices hike. Another fuel jolt for the common man as petrol and diesel prices were once again hiked across the country.
Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by about 90 paise per litre on Tuesday, marking the second increase in fuel rates within a week.
The big talking point of this episode of To The Point is the Twisha Sharma death mystery.
The Supreme Court has issued a verdict permitting the euthanasia of rabid and dangerous stray dogs in specific legal cases, prioritising public safety amid rising rabies deaths.
Iran has submitted a fourteen-point peace proposal to the United States via back-channel negotiations, seeking a permanent cessation of hostilities, the lifting of economic sanctions, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The escalating West Asia conflict has driven crude oil prices above $110 a barrel, while the Indian rupee hit a record low of 96.35 against the dollar. This
In this edition of India Today Roundtable Special, the focus is on the fuel price hike and the state of the Indian economy, amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
In a dramatic turn in the excise policy case, Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma on Thursday recused herself from the case after initiating criminal contempt proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders over remarks targeting the court.
