India’s oil marketing companies got a small cushion as petrol and diesel prices rose by Rs 3 per litre, but analysts say it barely covers the daily bleed caused by volatile, elevated crude costs. Energy analyst Yogesh Patil estimates the move cuts losses by about Rs 141 crore per day, yet under-recoveries will persist unless prices rise another Rs 11 per litre. The government appears to be using gradual hikes to control inflation while protecting retailer finances.
India’s oil marketing companies are seeing under-recoveries widen as crude supply disruptions persist and global market conditions stay uncertain. Industry veteran MK Surana warns that mounting financial stress could force a shift toward passing some costs to consumers, making a retail fuel price hike increasingly likely to protect fuel retailers from an unsustainable burden.
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Crude oil prices have been falling and pump rates remain largely steady, but state-run IndianOil’s net profit has still dropped by 67%. The question now is why margins are getting squeezed, with attention turning to the lingering impact of past subsidies and under-recoveries that can distort earnings even when fuel prices don’t move.
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