Nayara Energy, India's largest independent fuel retailer, lifted petrol by Rs 5 and diesel by Rs 3 per litre on Saturday across 7,000 outlets, a move that follows a March price adjustment linked to Middle East tensions and a July rollback after crude easing.
The jump marks the second adjustment this year, as global crude prices continue to squeeze margins for private firms that rely on thin profit spreads to remain competitive.
State‑owned oil marketing companies, which control more than 90 % of India's 104,000 petrol pumps, have kept retail rates steady, prompting speculation that private operators will resort to more frequent changes to cover rising procurement costs.
In Lucknow, a truck driver noted that the hike translates to an extra ₹30 per 100 litres, raising alarm over escalating logistics costs for small operators.
The government has warned private retailers not to restrict supply, while a scheduled quarterly price review on August 31 will decide whether the price gap can be narrowed without further burdening consumers.