Petrol Diesel Price Today August 20: Check Latest Fuel Rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Other Cities

Petrol Diesel Price Today, August 20, 2026: Fuel prices remained unchanged across major Indian cities on Thursday, August 20. Oil marketing companies released the latest petrol and diesel rates at 6 AM, with prices continuing to differ from one city to another because of state taxes, local levies and transportation-related costs.

Petrol continues to cost more than ₹100 per litre in several major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Gurugram, Noida, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow and Patna. Chandigarh remains among the cities in the list where petrol is priced below ₹100 per litre.

Since petrol and diesel expenses directly influence commuting costs, freight movement and transportation charges, checking the latest city-wise rates can be useful before heading to a fuel station.

Petrol and Diesel Prices on August 20, 2026

Here are the latest petrol and diesel rates in major cities:

Among the cities listed above, Hyderabad has petrol priced at ₹115.69 per litre, while Thiruvananthapuram is close behind at ₹115.49 per litre. Chandigarh, meanwhile, has a comparatively lower petrol rate of ₹98.10 per litre.

Diesel prices also vary significantly. Chandigarh has diesel at ₹86.09 per litre, while the price in Thiruvananthapuram stands at ₹104.40 per litre.

Why Do Petrol and Diesel Prices Differ Across India?

Fuel prices are not uniform throughout the country. Even when oil companies do not announce a nationwide price revision, consumers may see different rates across states and cities.

One of the biggest reasons is taxation. Central and state-level taxes form an important part of the final retail price of petrol and diesel. Since state levies differ, two neighbouring cities can sometimes have noticeably different fuel rates.

Transportation and dealer-related costs may also contribute to regional price differences.

What Determines Petrol and Diesel Prices?

Several domestic and global factors influence the pricing of petrol and diesel in India.

1. International Crude Oil Prices

Crude oil is the primary raw material used to produce petrol and diesel. India imports a substantial portion of its crude oil requirement, which means changes in international oil prices can influence domestic fuel costs.

When global crude prices rise sharply, the cost of importing oil increases. A decline in international prices can reduce pressure on oil marketing companies, although retail prices may not always move immediately in the same direction.

2. Rupee-Dollar Exchange Rate

International crude oil transactions are largely settled in US dollars. As a result, the value of the Indian rupee against the dollar plays an important role.

If the rupee weakens, Indian importers need to spend more rupees to buy the same quantity of crude oil. A stronger rupee can have the opposite effect.

3. Central and State Taxes

Taxes are another major component of petrol and diesel prices. The Centre imposes duties on fuel, while state governments levy their own taxes or VAT.

Differences in state taxation are one of the main reasons petrol and diesel prices vary across cities.

4. Refining and Distribution Costs

Crude oil cannot be directly used in vehicles. It must first be processed in refineries to produce usable fuels such as petrol and diesel.

Refining, storage, transportation and distribution all involve costs. These expenses form part of the broader pricing structure before fuel reaches consumers.

5. Demand and Supply

Fuel demand can also influence the overall energy market. Higher transportation activity, seasonal consumption, industrial demand and global supply disruptions can affect crude oil and petroleum product prices.

Why Have Retail Fuel Prices Remained Relatively Stable?

Petrol and diesel prices in India have seen long periods of relative stability despite fluctuations in international crude oil markets.

Tax reductions announced by the Centre and some state governments since 2022 have played a role in easing part of the burden on consumers. At the same time, domestic retail pricing does not necessarily change every time global crude prices move.

This means international crude oil can rise or fall without an immediate matching change at petrol pumps.

Why Daily Fuel Price Updates Matter

Petrol and diesel affect much more than private vehicle owners. Fuel costs influence taxis, buses, commercial vehicles, logistics companies and agricultural transportation.

Higher diesel prices can raise freight expenses, which may eventually affect the cost of transporting vegetables, fruits and other essential goods. Petrol prices, meanwhile, have a direct impact on the daily travel budget of two-wheeler and car users.

For businesses operating large vehicle fleets, even a small difference in the per-litre rate can result in a significant change in monthly expenses.

How to Check Petrol and Diesel Prices Through SMS

Consumers can also check fuel prices using SMS services provided by major oil marketing companies.

Indian Oil customers: Send RSP along with the relevant city code to 9224992249.

BPCL customers: Send RSP to 9223112222.

HPCL customers: Send HP Price to 9222201122.

Consumers may also check the latest price through the official website or mobile application of their fuel provider.

Check Your City's Rate Before Refuelling

Petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged in the latest update for August 20, 2026, but rates continue to vary considerably across Indian cities.

For motorists, commercial vehicle operators and businesses dependent on road transport, keeping track of the latest fuel price can help with daily budgeting. Before refuelling, consumers should check the applicable rate in their city through their oil company's official price-update service or at the nearest fuel station.