The government on Friday reduced the fortnightly reviewed windfall gains tax on export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) with effect from May 1, 2026.

The Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on export of diesel was reduced to ₹23 per litre from ₹55.5 per litre, and aviation turbine fuel to ₹33 per litre from ₹42 per litre.

The road and infrastructure cess on the export of diesel will be nil for the next fortnight, beginning May 1. The rate of duty on export of petrol will remain nil, said the Finance Ministry statement issued late on Thursday.

“Export levies [Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED)/Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC)] on the exports of petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) were introduced with effect from March 27, 2026 so as to ensure domestic availability of petroleum products by disincentivising exports in the backdrop of the West Asia crisis,” the Ministry added.

The rates are being revised on a fortnightly basis and the last such revision was undertaken with effect from April 11, 2026. The rates are prescribed based on the average international prices of crude oil, petrol, diesel and ATF prevailing during the period since the last review.

Despite mounting pressure to raise fuel prices amid the Iran war disruption, the central government has decided to keep the domestic LPG rates unchanged.

However, the price of commercial LPG (19 kg) has been increased by ₹993 (on average). Commercial LPG cylinder prices in Delhi are now at ₹3,071.50 (from ₹2,078.50 earlier). Similarly, commercial LPG cylinder prices in Mumbai have been raised from ₹2,031 to ₹3,024.

Significantly, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased thrice since February 28 when the Iran war began. It was first increased by ₹144 in March, followed by another hike of nearly ₹200 on April 1.

“Overall, approximately 80% of petroleum products have witnessed no change in prices, ensuring stability for the majority of consumers. Price revisions have been limited to select industrial segments, which constitute a relatively small share of overall consumption and are subject to routine monthly adjustments based on prevailing international prices,” a Ministry statement said.

Published on May 1, 2026