According to government sources, a rise in petrol and diesel prices in India cannot be ruled out due to ongoing losses faced by state-run oil companies amid soaring global crude oil prices, which recently reached $126 per barrel. Despite international prices climbing, retail prices for petrol and diesel have remained unchanged since early April 2022, with petrol priced at ₹94.77 per litre and diesel at ₹87.67 per litre. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has stated that prices will remain stable for now, but analysts predict potential increases of ₹25–28 per litre following the West Bengal Assembly elections. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has also fact-checked and labeled as fake claims circulating on social media about an official order for price hikes. The situation is exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and Iran, affecting oil supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial artery for global oil trade.