Shifting sands: How India's fuel pricing policy evolved over the years

India's progress with decontrol of fuel prices derailed in May 2022-after 12 years, three governments and two reform-driven Prime Ministers-when petrol and diesel rates surged

With the finances of state oil companies, led by Indian Oil, careening in a volatile oil world, the question being asked yet again is whether they will now finally get the ‘full’ freedom to set the prices of diesel, petrol and LPG, or whether the new government at the Centre will continue to ‘influence’ what you and I pay at the pump. 

However, industry and government officials, analysts and state oil companies say that it is unlikely that the price of petrol will be changed daily, based on international prices. But before we try to read the future, it will be