Utilities

Petrol Diesel Price Check Today โ€” How to Check Fuel Price in Your City

Check today's petrol and diesel price in your city via SMS, app, or online. Step-by-step guide for IOCL, BPCL, HPCL with price breakdown and saving tips.

CitizenNest Editorial Team8 min read
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Disclaimer: This is an independent informational guide. We are NOT affiliated with any government body. Always verify on official websites.

Petrol Diesel Price Check Today โ€” How to Check Fuel Price in Your City

Fuel prices in India change daily and vary from city to city. Whether you want to check today's petrol price before filling up or track diesel rates for your business, there are multiple easy ways to get the latest fuel price โ€” via SMS, mobile app, or online.

This guide covers all methods to check petrol and diesel prices in your city, explains how fuel pricing works in India, and shares tips to save on fuel costs.

How Fuel Prices Work in India

India follows a daily dynamic pricing system for petrol and diesel since June 2017. Here's how it works:

  • Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) โ€” Indian Oil (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) โ€” revise fuel prices every day at 6:00 AM
  • Prices are based on the average international crude oil price over the previous 15 days and the INR-USD exchange rate
  • Each city has a different price because state taxes (VAT) vary
  • The central government levies excise duty which is uniform across India, but state VAT differs significantly

Note: Although the system allows daily revision, prices may remain unchanged for extended periods when global crude oil prices are stable.

How to Check Petrol and Diesel Price Today

Method 1: Check via SMS

You can get the latest fuel price delivered to your phone instantly by sending an SMS. Each oil company has its own SMS service:

Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL)

  • SMS Format: Send RSP [Dealer Code] to 9224992249
  • You can also just send RSP followed by your city code
  • Example: RSP Delhi to 9224992249
  • The reply will show the current petrol and diesel price at that location

Bharat Petroleum (BPCL)

  • SMS Format: Send RSP to 9223112222
  • You will receive the latest petrol and diesel rates for your nearest BPCL outlet
  • No dealer code required โ€” it uses your registered location

Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL)

  • SMS Format: Send HPPRICE [Dealer Code] to 9222201122
  • Example: HPPRICE 12345 to 9222201122
  • You'll receive current fuel rates for that dealer location

Tip: You can find dealer codes on pump receipts or by asking at your nearest fuel station.

Method 2: Check on Official Websites

Each OMC provides a fuel price lookup on their website:

Oil Company Website
Indian Oil (IOCL) iocl.com/petrol-diesel-price
Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) bharatpetroleum.in/fuel-prices
Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) hindustanpetroleum.com/fuel-prices

Simply select your state and city to see today's petrol and diesel rate.

Method 3: Check via Mobile Apps

All three OMCs offer free mobile apps where you can check fuel prices:

  • IndianOil ONE โ€” Available on Android and iOS. Shows daily prices, nearest fuel stations, and offers loyalty rewards
  • SmartDrive (BPCL) โ€” Check BPCL fuel rates, locate pumps, and track expenses
  • HP Pay (HPCL) โ€” Check HPCL fuel prices, make digital payments, and find nearby stations

You can also use third-party apps like Google Maps (some fuel stations show prices) or websites like PetrolDieselPrice.com and GoodReturns.in for quick lookups.

Method 4: Missed Call Service

  • Indian Oil: Give a missed call to 9224992249 and you'll receive an SMS with the latest fuel price for your area

Petrol and Diesel Price Breakdown

The retail price you pay at the pump is made up of several components. Here's the approximate breakdown for petrol in Delhi:

Component Petrol (โ‚น/litre) Diesel (โ‚น/litre)
Base Price (Refinery) ~โ‚น55โ€“58 ~โ‚น56โ€“59
Excise Duty (Central) โ‚น19.90 โ‚น15.80
Dealer Commission โ‚น3.50โ€“4.00 โ‚น2.50โ€“3.00
VAT (State) Varies by state Varies by state
Retail Price ~โ‚น94โ€“97 ~โ‚น87โ€“90

Excise duty on petrol is โ‚น19.90/litre and on diesel is โ‚น15.80/litre as of the latest central government notification. States levy VAT on top of this, making final prices vary widely.

How Taxes Affect the Final Price

  • Central Excise Duty is fixed per litre and uniform across India
  • State VAT is a percentage or fixed amount that varies by state
  • Together, taxes make up nearly 50โ€“55% of the retail petrol price and about 45โ€“50% of diesel price

State-wise Tax Impact on Fuel Prices

Fuel prices differ across states mainly because of varying VAT rates. Here are some examples:

State VAT on Petrol VAT on Diesel Impact
Rajasthan ~36% ~26% Among the highest fuel prices
Maharashtra ~25% + surcharge ~21% + surcharge High prices in Mumbai
Odisha ~32% ~28% Significant state tax
Uttar Pradesh 26.8% or โ‚น18.74 (higher) ~17.48% Moderate prices
Delhi ~19.4% ~16.75% Lower due to UT status
Andhra Pradesh ~31% ~22.25% Above average

States with lower VAT like Delhi, Goa, and some northeastern states tend to have cheaper fuel. States like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh have higher fuel costs.

Fuel Price Trend in India

Fuel prices in India have seen significant changes over the years:

  • 2014โ€“2017: Government deregulated diesel prices and introduced daily pricing
  • 2017: Daily dynamic pricing system introduced (June 2017)
  • 2020: Excise duty hiked significantly during COVID-19 (petrol excise reached โ‚น32.98/litre)
  • 2021โ€“2022: Prices peaked โ€” petrol crossed โ‚น110/litre in many cities
  • 2022 (May): Central government cut excise duty by โ‚น8 on petrol and โ‚น6 on diesel
  • 2024โ€“2025: Prices remained relatively stable in the โ‚น94โ€“104 range depending on city
  • 2025 (April): Excise duty revised to โ‚น13/litre (petrol) and โ‚น10/litre (diesel) as per latest notification

Fuel prices are closely linked to international Brent crude oil prices. When crude oil rises above $85โ€“90 per barrel, upward pressure on Indian fuel prices increases.

Tips to Save on Fuel

  1. Compare prices โ€” Fuel prices can differ by โ‚น1โ€“3 even between nearby cities. If you live near a state border, check prices on both sides
  2. Use loyalty programs โ€” IndianOil's XTRAREWARDS, BPCL's SmartDrive, and HPCL's HP Pay offer cashback and reward points on fuel purchases
  3. Pay digitally โ€” Many fuel stations offer โ‚น0.50โ€“1.00 per litre discount on UPI, credit card, or wallet payments
  4. Maintain your vehicle โ€” Properly inflated tyres, clean air filters, and regular servicing improve fuel efficiency by 10โ€“15%
  5. Drive smart โ€” Avoid sudden acceleration and braking. Maintain steady speeds on highways. Use cruise control when available
  6. Fill up early morning โ€” Fuel is denser in cooler temperatures, so you get slightly more fuel per litre
  7. Track prices โ€” Use apps to monitor price trends and fill up when prices dip

Frequently Asked Questions

When do petrol and diesel prices change in India?

Oil marketing companies (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL) revise fuel prices daily at 6:00 AM. The new price applies immediately at all fuel stations. However, prices may remain unchanged for days or weeks if crude oil prices are stable.

Why are fuel prices different in every city?

The base price and central excise duty are the same across India, but each state charges a different VAT (Value Added Tax) on fuel. Additionally, transportation costs to deliver fuel to remote areas can add to the price difference.

Are petrol and diesel covered under GST?

No. Despite being listed under the GST Act, petrol and diesel are currently excluded from GST. They continue to be taxed under the old excise duty + state VAT system. Bringing fuel under GST would likely reduce prices significantly but would impact state revenues.

How can I check fuel price without internet?

Send an SMS to the respective oil company number:

  • IOCL: RSP [city code] to 9224992249
  • BPCL: RSP to 9223112222
  • HPCL: HPPRICE [dealer code] to 9222201122

You can also give a missed call to 9224992249 (Indian Oil) to receive the price via SMS.

Which state has the cheapest petrol in India?

States and union territories with lower VAT rates tend to have cheaper fuel. Goa, Delhi, and some northeastern states like Meghalaya (which have special tax exemptions) generally have the lowest petrol and diesel prices in the country.

How is the base price of petrol and diesel decided?

The base price is determined by the trade parity pricing formula โ€” 80% import parity price and 20% export parity price of the fuel, based on international crude oil rates and the INR-USD exchange rate averaged over the previous 15 trading days.

Can fuel stations charge more than the official price?

No. Fuel stations must sell at the price set by the OMC for that day. If you suspect overcharging, you can file a complaint on the respective oil company's website or call their customer care (IOCL: 1800-2333-555, BPCL: 1800-22-4344, HPCL: 1800-233-3555).