LPG Prices Spike, ATF Hiked; Petrol-Diesel Unchanged from May 1

A series of major financial and regulatory changes have come into effect across India from May 1, 2026, influencing households, businesses, and multiple industries.

LPG Price Hike

Commercial LPG cylinders have witnessed a record price increase of Rs.993, marking the steepest single-day hike ever. In Delhi, the new price now stands at Rs.3,071.50. Similarly, the price of 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders has jumped sharply from Rs.549 to Rs.810.50 per cylinder.

However, there is no change in domestic LPG prices, with the 14.2-kg household cylinder continuing at ₹913 in Delhi.

✈️ Aviation Fuel (ATF) Update

Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices for international airlines have been increased by around 5%, marking the second consecutive monthly rise. The new rate in Delhi stands at Rs.1.40 lakh per kilolitre.

Interestingly, ATF prices for domestic airlines remain unchanged, offering some relief to domestic aviation operations.

Petrol & Diesel Prices Stable

There has been no change in petrol and diesel prices for domestic consumers, as the government has kept excise duties unchanged.

Export Duty Cuts on Fuel

The government has reduced export duties on diesel and ATF:

  • Diesel export duty cut to Rs.23 per litre (from Rs.55.5)
  • ATF export duty reduced to Rs.33 per litre (from Rs.42)

This move is expected to benefit major refining companies like Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy by making exports more competitive globally.

UAE Exit from OPEC+

In a significant global development, the United Arab Emirates has exited OPEC and OPEC+. This could lead to increased oil production and potentially lower global crude oil prices, benefiting oil-importing nations like India.

New Online Gaming Rules

The government has introduced a simplified regulatory framework for the online gaming sector:

  • Game certification validity increased from 5 to 10 years
  • No registration required for non-real-money games
  • 90-day timeline for classification of games
  • Two-tier grievance redressal system for user safety

These changes aim to support startups and reduce compliance burden.

SEBI Rules for Transparency

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has made it mandatory for registered financial entities to display their registration details on social media platforms. This will help investors identify genuine sources and improve transparency in financial communication

Mutual Fund Changes

Fund management teams of select schemes under ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company have been revised, effective May 1, as part of routine portfolio management adjustments.