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Ministry Notifies Motor Spirit and High‑Speed Diesel Retail Supply Control Order, 2026
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has notified the Motor Spirit and High‑Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026. The order regulates retail diesel supply to curb black marketing and hoarding, and to protect retail consumers during extraordinary demand shifts linked to price differences between bulk and retail diesel.
Motor Spirit and High‑Speed Diesel Order, 2026:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Notifying authority | The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has notified the order. |
| Stated rationale | The order provides for curbing black marketing and hoarding of diesel, and protecting retail consumers during extraordinary demand shifts caused by price differences between bulk and retail diesel. |
| Validity | The order applies for 90 days. |
| Retail limit and dispensing condition | Diesel dispensed at retail outlets is capped at 200 litres per day per customer or vehicle, and is dispensed only into vehicle tanks or PESO‑approved containers. |
| Restriction on bulk consumers | Industrial, institutional, and commercial bulk consumers are prohibited from sourcing diesel at retail outlets, and must procure via consumer pumps. |
| Compliance and enforcement responsibility | Compliance is enforced by Oil Marketing Companies, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, and dealers. |
| Penalty provision | Violations are punishable under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. |
| Extraordinary demand trigger | Bulk consumers have shifted procurement to retail outlets due to a ₹40 per litre price gap between bulk and retail diesel. |
| Reported sales impact | PSU OMCs have recorded 10% growth in diesel sales across 327 districts in May 2026, and 80 districts have recorded 30% growth. |
| Consumer protection measure stated | PSU OMCs are absorbing ₹500 crore per day losses on petrol, diesel, and LPG to shield retail consumers amid West Asia disruption. |
| Energy security statement | India remains the 4th largest refiner and 5th largest exporter of refined petroleum products, and there is no shortage of fuel. |