Petrol and diesel prices remained broadly unchanged across major Indian cities on August 22, 2026. Oil marketing companies released the latest retail fuel rates at 6 am, with petrol continuing to cost more than ₹100 per litre in several cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Jaipur.

Fuel prices remain an important part of household and business expenses because changes at the pump can affect commuting costs, transportation charges and the movement of goods. While there was no major revision on August 22, motorists should still check the applicable rate in their city because petrol and diesel prices differ significantly across states and locations.

Delhi, for instance, continued to see petrol at ₹102.12 per litre and diesel at ₹95.20 per litre on August 22.

Petrol and Diesel Prices on August 22, 2026

Here are the fuel rates mentioned for major cities:

Because local prices can vary even within a state, consumers should confirm the rate applicable at their nearest fuel outlet before refuelling.

Petrol Remains Above ₹100 in Most Major Cities

Petrol continues to remain above the ₹100-per-litre mark in most of the major cities listed.

Delhi motorists are paying ₹102.12 per litre, while the petrol rate in Mumbai is ₹111.18 per litre. Kolkata stands higher at ₹113.47, while Chennai motorists are paying ₹107.77.

Among the cities listed, Hyderabad remains one of the more expensive markets, with petrol at ₹115.69 per litre.

Jaipur is also well above the ₹100 mark at ₹112.66 per litre, while Patna is at ₹113.35.

Chandigarh is one of the notable exceptions in the supplied city-wise list, where petrol is priced below ₹100 per litre at ₹98.10.

Another August 22 fuel-price compilation also confirms that rates remained broadly stable across the country, although some published city-wise figures vary slightly depending on the outlet and location used for the calculation.

Why Do Petrol and Diesel Prices Differ Across Cities?

Motorists often wonder why the same litre of petrol or diesel costs more in one city than another.

One of the biggest reasons is taxation. Fuel prices include central levies as well as state-level taxes or VAT. Since state tax structures differ, the final retail price can vary substantially.

Transportation and dealer-related costs can also contribute to differences between locations.

This means motorists travelling between states may notice a noticeable change in fuel prices even when there has been no nationwide revision.

Crude Oil Prices Play an Important Role

Petrol and diesel are produced from crude oil, so global crude prices are an important factor in determining the underlying cost of fuel.

India imports a significant portion of its crude oil requirements. When international crude prices rise, the cost of importing oil can increase.

However, movements in crude oil prices do not always translate immediately into identical changes at Indian petrol pumps because retail fuel prices also depend on taxes, marketing costs and other components.

Global demand, supply conditions, production decisions by oil-producing countries and geopolitical developments can all influence crude oil markets.

Rupee-Dollar Exchange Rate Also Matters

International crude oil transactions are generally denominated in US dollars.

As a result, the value of the Indian rupee against the dollar can influence the cost of oil imports.

If the rupee weakens substantially against the dollar, importing the same quantity of crude oil can become more expensive in rupee terms. Conversely, a stronger rupee may reduce some of that import-cost pressure.

The exchange rate is therefore one of several factors closely monitored when assessing domestic fuel pricing trends.

Taxes Form a Major Part of Retail Fuel Prices

The price displayed at a petrol pump is not simply the cost of crude oil.

Central taxes, state VAT, dealer commission and other pricing components are added before petrol or diesel reaches the consumer.

Tax levels also explain why petrol and diesel prices can differ significantly between neighbouring states.

Changes in central or state taxes can therefore affect the amount motorists ultimately pay, even when global crude prices remain unchanged.

Refining and Distribution Costs Affect the Final Price

Crude oil cannot be used directly as petrol or diesel. It first has to be processed at refineries.

The cost of refining, transportation, storage and distribution becomes part of the overall fuel-pricing structure.

Moving fuel from refineries to depots and then to retail outlets also involves logistical expenses.

These factors contribute to the final retail selling price along with crude oil costs and taxation.

Fuel Prices Are Updated Regularly

India follows a dynamic fuel-pricing mechanism under which petrol and diesel rates are reviewed regularly.

Retail prices are generally updated at 6 am, allowing motorists to check the applicable rate before starting their day.

The system is intended to ensure that retail prices can reflect changes in underlying market conditions rather than waiting for large periodic revisions.

However, prices may remain unchanged for extended periods even while international crude markets move up or down.

How to Check Petrol and Diesel Prices Through SMS

Motorists can check their local fuel prices without visiting a petrol station.

Indian Oil customers can send RSP followed by the dealer code to 9224992249.

Bharat Petroleum customers can send RSP followed by the dealer code to 9223112222.

HPCL users can send HPPRICE followed by the dealer code to 9222201122.

These SMS formats are used to retrieve outlet-specific fuel price information.

Customers can also use the official websites and mobile applications of the respective oil marketing companies to check current rates.

Why Checking Your Local Rate Is Important

City-level price lists are useful for getting an overall picture, but the exact price at a particular petrol pump may differ slightly depending on the specific location and applicable local factors.

This is especially important for people who travel frequently, operate commercial vehicles or closely monitor transportation expenses.

Before filling the tank, checking the rate through the fuel company's official website, mobile application, SMS facility or directly at the retail outlet can help confirm the amount payable.

What Motorists Should Know on August 22

For August 22, 2026, the key takeaway is that there has been no major change in petrol and diesel prices across the major cities covered in the latest updates.

Petrol, however, continues to remain above ₹100 per litre in many major urban centres, while diesel prices also vary widely depending on state taxation and location.

Consumers should keep an eye on global crude oil prices, the rupee-dollar exchange rate and government tax decisions, as these factors can influence future fuel costs.

For the most accurate rate on any particular day, motorists should verify prices through their oil company's official channel or the fuel station they plan to visit rather than relying only on an older city-wise rate chart.