Consumers across India are facing fresh increases in the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and piped natural gas (PNG) as new rates came into effect on May 22, 2026. These adjustments mark the second time in a week that fuel prices have been raised, contributing to concerns about household budgets and inflationary pressures.
Recent Price Adjustments
The latest revisions saw CNG prices in Delhi and Mumbai climb by ₹2 per kilogram, with Delhi experiencing an additional ₹1 per kilogram increase shortly after. This follows earlier hikes in petrol and diesel, which first rose by ₹3 per litre each, followed by another ₹0.90 per litre increase.
Factors Driving the Increases
The primary driver behind these escalating fuel costs is a significant surge in global crude oil prices. Geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the strategic blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, have severely disrupted global oil and gas shipments. India, a major energy importer, relies heavily on this route, making it vulnerable to such international supply shocks.
Industry sources indicate that these calibrated price increases are intended to partially alleviate the severe margin pressures faced by oil marketing companies. Despite these adjustments, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Joint Secretary, Sujata Sharma, noted that companies still incur daily losses estimated at ₹750 crore.
Political Context and Energy Diplomacy
Domestically, the timing of these price hikes has drawn attention, occurring 16 days after the conclusion of Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Fuel prices had remained static during the polling period, even as international crude rates surged due to heightened global instability following a US-Israel attack on Iran and Tehran's subsequent retaliation.
In related news, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, ahead of his visit to India from May 23 to 26, expressed the United States' readiness to supply India with as much energy as it is willing to purchase. He highlighted historic levels of US energy production and export, also mentioning potential opportunities involving Venezuelan oil.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to exercise prudence in fuel consumption, encouraging greater use of public transport and the adoption of work-from-home options to reduce overall demand.
City-wise Fuel Prices on May 22, 2026
14.2 kg Domestic LPG Cylinder Rates
- Delhi: ₹913
- Bengaluru: ₹915.50
- Hyderabad: ₹965
- Mumbai: ₹912.50
- Chennai: ₹928.50
- Kolkata: ₹939
19 kg Commercial LPG Cylinder Rates
- Delhi: ₹3,071.50
- Bengaluru: ₹3,152
- Hyderabad: ₹3,315
- Mumbai: ₹3,024
- Chennai: ₹3,237
- Kolkata: ₹3,202
CNG Prices per kg
- Delhi: ₹80.09
- Bengaluru: ₹90
- Hyderabad: ₹97
- Mumbai: ₹83
- Chennai: ₹91.50
- Kolkata: ₹93.50
PNG Prices per SCM (Standard Cubic Meter)
- Delhi: ₹47.90
- Bengaluru: ₹52
- Hyderabad: ₹51
- Mumbai: ₹50
- Chennai: ₹50
- Kolkata: ₹50