India Raises Petrol Export Duty, Cuts Diesel Levy

India’s Finance Ministry changed export duties on petrol and diesel effective October 16, raising the petrol levy and lowering the diesel levy for the fortnight beginning that day. The ministry set the petrol export duty at Rs 2.5 per litre, up from Rs 0.5, and the combined Special Additional Excise Duty and road-and-infrastructure cess on diesel exports at Rs 8.5 per litre, down from Rs 16. The revised rates apply to fuel sold abroad. The ministry said duties on petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption were unchanged. The export duty on aviation turbine fuel also remained unchanged at Rs 10.5 per litre for the fortnight, according to the ministry. The government reviews export duties every two weeks. It introduced duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel on March 27, 2026, and extended the levy to petrol exports from May 16, according to the reports. The latest changes took effect on October 16, the start of the new fortnightly period. The government has said the duties are intended to support domestic availability of petroleum products and discourage exports amid tensions in West Asia and higher global crude prices. It has also cited price differences between...