Petrol and diesel prices for September 15, 2026, have been released, making it important for motorists to check the latest rates before heading to a fuel station. Fuel prices differ significantly from one city to another because several factors, including state taxes and local levies, influence the final retail price.

Oil marketing companies revise and publish petrol and diesel prices every day, generally at 6 AM. Apart from taxation, movements in international crude oil prices and the rupee-dollar exchange rate are among the major factors that can influence the cost of fuel in India.

On September 15, petrol is priced at ₹102.12 per litre in Delhi, while diesel costs ₹95.20 per litre. Mumbai motorists are paying ₹111.18 for petrol and ₹97.83 for diesel.

Here's a closer look at the latest fuel rates across major Indian cities.

Petrol and Diesel Prices on September 15

Fuel rates vary considerably across the country. Chandigarh has one of the lowest prices among the cities listed in the supplied data, while Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram are among the costlier markets.

The latest rates are:

Among these cities, Hyderabad has the highest listed petrol price at ₹115.69 per litre. Thiruvananthapuram, meanwhile, has the highest diesel price at ₹104.40 per litre.

Chandigarh has the lowest rates in this particular list, with petrol at ₹98.10 and diesel at ₹86.09 per litre.

How Much Does a Full Tank Cost?

Even a difference of a few rupees per litre can have a noticeable effect when filling an entire fuel tank.

For example, at Delhi's petrol price of ₹102.12 per litre, buying 40 litres would cost approximately ₹4,084.80.

At Hyderabad's petrol rate of ₹115.69, the same 40 litres would cost around ₹4,627.60.

That is a difference of more than ₹540 for the same quantity of petrol, illustrating why fuel expenses can vary substantially depending on the city.

Why Are Petrol and Diesel Prices Different Across Cities?

One of the most common questions among motorists is why petrol and diesel cost more in some states than others.

Crude oil is an important starting point, but it is not the only component that determines the amount paid at a petrol pump.

Taxes and other costs are added before the fuel reaches consumers. State-level taxation is particularly important because it can result in different retail prices across different parts of India.

As a result, petrol may cost ₹102.12 in Delhi while being priced at ₹115.69 in Hyderabad on the same day.

Crude Oil Prices Have a Major Impact

Petrol and diesel are produced by refining crude oil.

India imports a significant portion of its crude oil requirement, which makes international crude prices an important factor for the domestic fuel market.

When global crude oil becomes more expensive, the cost of sourcing the raw material can increase. Conversely, a decline in crude prices can reduce some of that pressure.

However, changes in international crude prices do not necessarily translate into an identical immediate change in the retail prices consumers pay at fuel stations.

Rupee-Dollar Exchange Rate Also Matters

The value of the Indian rupee against the US dollar is another factor affecting fuel economics.

International crude oil purchases are largely settled in dollars. If the rupee weakens against the dollar, Indian buyers may have to spend more rupees to purchase the same quantity of crude oil.

Therefore, even when the dollar price of crude oil does not change dramatically, currency movements can influence the overall import cost.

Taxes Add to the Retail Price

Central and state taxes and levies form an important part of the final price paid by consumers.

State-level taxes are also one reason petrol and diesel prices are not identical throughout India.

The supplied article notes that tax reductions by the Centre and several states after May 2022 contributed to a comparatively stable period for fuel prices, despite continued volatility in international markets.

This also explains why looking only at crude oil prices cannot tell consumers exactly what petrol or diesel will cost at the pump.

Refining Costs Influence Fuel Prices

Crude oil cannot be directly used as petrol or diesel. It must first go through a refining process.

Refining involves its own operational costs, which can depend on factors such as crude quality and refinery capabilities.

These expenses become another component of the fuel-pricing chain before petrol or diesel reaches retail outlets.

Demand and Supply Can Affect the Market

Fuel demand is another factor that can influence market conditions.

Periods of higher travel, economic activity or seasonal consumption can increase demand for petrol and diesel. Supply conditions can also change because of developments in crude-producing regions or transportation routes.

The interaction between supply and demand therefore remains an important part of the wider fuel-price environment.

How to Check Petrol and Diesel Prices Through SMS

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

According to the information in the supplied article, Indian Oil customers can send their city code along with “RSP” to 9224992249.

BPCL customers can send “RSP” to 9223112222, while HPCL customers can send “HP Price” to 9222201122.

Since fuel rates can differ even between locations within the same region, checking the latest applicable price before refuelling can be useful.

Petrol Diesel Price Today: Key Takeaway

Petrol and diesel rates continue to vary significantly across major Indian cities on September 15.

Delhi is quoting petrol at ₹102.12 per litre and diesel at ₹95.20, while Mumbai's rates stand at ₹111.18 and ₹97.83, respectively. In Jaipur, petrol costs ₹112.66 and diesel ₹97.78 per litre.

Hyderabad has petrol at ₹115.69 and diesel at ₹103.82, while Chandigarh is considerably cheaper at ₹98.10 and ₹86.09 per litre, respectively.

For motorists, keeping track of the daily price is useful because fuel expenses can have a direct impact on household travel budgets. International crude oil, currency movements, taxes, refining costs and demand-supply conditions all play a role in shaping the broader fuel-price environment.