Petrol Diesel Price Today: How expensive or cheap will petrol and diesel be on October 20? Know the new prices from Delhi to Lucknow here

Amid the festive atmosphere of Vijayadashami and the upcoming Deepotsav, the country’s major state-owned oil marketing companies—Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL)—have released the latest retail selling prices (RSP) of petrol and diesel for today Tuesday, October 20, 2026. During the festive season, when people are using their personal cars and bikes extensively for long distance family trips, shopping and meeting relatives, the movement of freight and logistics vehicles is also at its peak. In such a situation, the drivers, transporters and common citizens are directly keeping an eye on whether the prices of petrol and diesel at fuel outlets are stable today or whether there has been any fluctuation in their prices. Amidst the ongoing fluctuations in crude oil prices in the international market, domestic oil companies have completed their daily price review at 6:00 am today. It is a matter of relief that there has been no major change in the basic prices of petrol and diesel at the national level and the rates have remained largely stable, due to which there has been no additional burden on the festive budget.

The movement of crude oil prices in the global energy market directly affects the retail rates of petrol and diesel in India. India imports more than 85 percent of its total crude oil needs. International benchmark Brent Crude is currently trading in a tight range of $74 to $76 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is also hovering around $70 to $71 per barrel. Despite geopolitical tensions and supply concerns in West Asia, there has been no uncontrolled surge in international oil prices in recent times due to sluggish demand from China. As a result of this global stability, Indian oil companies have maintained stable retail prices in the domestic market, thereby protecting consumers from the shock of price rise during the festive season.

In the national capital Delhi and adjoining NCR cities, the prices of petrol and diesel are decided on the basis of local taxes and dealer commission. Due to the relatively balanced VAT imposed by the state government in Delhi, fuel here is the cheapest in the entire NCR. Today, on 20 October 2026, the price of petrol in New Delhi remains stable at ₹ 94.72 per liter and diesel at ₹ 87.62 per liter without any change. If we talk about the neighboring cities of NCR, then in Noida and Greater Noida, which fall under the jurisdiction of Uttar Pradesh, petrol is being sold at the level of ₹ 94.86 per liter and diesel at ₹ 88.00 per liter. In Haryana’s Gurugram and Faridabad, petrol is hovering around ₹95.15 to ₹95.25 per liter and diesel in the range of ₹88.05 to ₹88.15 per liter due to slight difference in VAT.

Fuel rates remain stable today in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow and its surrounding industrial and residential areas. Today, on October 20, at the petrol pumps of Lucknow, normal petrol is being made available to the consumers at the rate of ₹ 94.65 per liter and diesel at the rate of ₹ 87.76 per liter. In Kanpur, the largest industrial city of the state, petrol has been recorded at around ₹ 94.50 per liter and diesel at around ₹ 87.60 per litre. Due to transportation cost in Sangam city Prayagraj, petrol is priced at ₹ 95.30 per liter and in Varanasi at ₹ 95.05 per liter. Despite the state level VAT rates being the same in Uttar Pradesh, there is a slight difference of 10 to 50 paise per liter due to the distance (Freight Charges) from the depot to the petrol pumps in different districts.

There is considerable variation in fuel prices across the four metros of the country due to local sales tax and octroi. Today, on October 20, 2026, the retail prices of petrol and diesel in major Indian cities are recorded as follows:

(Note: The rates given above are those of authorized retail outlets of state-owned oil companies; premium grade fuel like Speed, Power or ExtraPremium prices are higher by ₹4 to ₹8 per liter at different petrol pumps.)

This question often arises in the minds of drivers that when crude oil is imported at the same price across the country, then why is petrol available for ₹ 94 in Delhi and ₹ 103 to ₹ 107 in Mumbai or Hyderabad? The main reason for this is India’s double tax system. When crude oil comes out of the refinery after being processed, the Central Government imposes ‘Central Excise Duty’ on it, which is uniform throughout the country. After this, each state government imposes ‘Value Added Tax’ (VAT) and Cess on it according to its financial priorities. VAT rates are quite high in states like Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, while it is comparatively low in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Additionally, the freight cost of transporting the fuel from the refinery or depot to the petrol pump and the per liter commission paid to pump dealers also play an important role in determining the final price.

Before going to the petrol pump, you can know the exact rate of your nearest petrol pump by sending a simple SMS from your mobile phone. All three major companies of the country have created an easy SMS code system for this:

1. Indian Oil (IOCL) Customers: Go to the message box of your mobile and write-RSP Dealer Code (like RSP 102090 for Delhi) and this 92249 92249 Send it to. Within a few seconds, the message of latest petrol-diesel rate will come on your phone.

2. Consumers of Bharat Petroleum (BPCL): from your phone RSP Dealer Code by writing 92231 12222 Send SMS to.

3. Customers of Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL): in the message HPPRICE Dealer Code type and it 92222 01122 Send it to.

   
   

   The unique dealer code of each petrol pump is clearly displayed on the board at the pump premises, which you can note down for your convenience.

In this busy week of Dussehra and Diwali, if you are frequently stopping your vehicle in traffic jams within the city or going on a long highway trip, then by keeping these small things in mind, you can reduce the fuel expenses on your pocket by 15 to 20 percent:

• Take care of tire pressure: Keep the air pressure in the tires of the vehicle as per the standards set by the company. When there is less air, there is additional pressure on the engine and fuel consumption increases rapidly.

• Stop the engine at traffic signal: If there is a red signal for more than 30 seconds at an intersection or railway crossing, switch off the engine instead of leaving the vehicle running in idle mode.

• Avoid sudden acceleration and braking: Driving at a steady speed of 60 to 80 km/h on the highway or city roads gives the best mileage. Repeatedly racing suddenly and applying sharp brakes empties the fuel tank rapidly.

• Take fuel only from reliable pumps: Always fill petrol and diesel only from high selling and reputed Company Operated (COCO) outlets, so as to avoid the risk of adulteration and ensure long life of the engine.