Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on 12 May 2026 told reporters in New Delhi that India has 60 days of crude oil stock, 60 days of natural gas rolling stock and 45 days of LPG rolling stock, and assured citizens that no fuel rationing is planned. The statement was issued to clarify Prime Minister Narendra Modi's seven-point austerity appeal in which he urged citizens to cut down on unnecessary foreign travel, postpone non-essential gold purchases for a year, reduce fuel consumption, prefer public transport and carpooling and shift towards work-from-home practices to conserve foreign exchange reserves. Puri said state-run Oil Marketing Companies are absorbing losses of approximately Rs 1,000 crore every day to insulate consumers from rising global crude prices linked to the West Asia conflict; under-recoveries have touched nearly Rs 2 lakh crore in the first quarter of 2026 and the OMC quarterly loss could reach Rs 1 lakh crore if elevated international crude prices continue and retail prices in India remain frozen, as they have been for more than 70 days. India's foreign exchange reserves stand at USD 703 billion and the Minister stressed that the country has adequate fuel buffers and that the macroeconomic fundamentals remain stable. The Petroleum Ministry has also instructed Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum to step up domestic refining throughput and accelerate diversification of crude sourcing to maintain energy security.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on 12 May 2026 Says India Has 60 Days of Crude Oil, 60 Days of Natural Gas and 45 Days of LPG Rolling Stock; Oil Marketing Companies Could Face Quarterly Losses of Up to Rs 1 Lakh Crore if Elevated Crude Prices Persist
On 12 May 2026, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India has 60 days of crude, 60 days of natural gas and 45 days of LPG rolling stock; OMC quarterly losses could touch Rs 1 lakh crore as state retailers absorb roughly Rs 1,000 crore a day to keep retail fuel prices unchanged.
Key facts
- India has 60 days of crude oil, 60 days of natural gas and 45 days of LPG rolling stock as on 12 May 2026
- OMCs are absorbing approximately Rs 1,000 crore daily losses; quarterly losses could reach Rs 1 lakh crore
- Under-recoveries already touched nearly Rs 2 lakh crore in Q1 2026
- Retail petrol and diesel prices have been frozen for more than 70 days
- Indias foreign exchange reserves stand at USD 703 billion
- PMs seven-point austerity appeal urged cuts in foreign travel, gold purchases and fuel use
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With reference to the statement made by Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on 12 May 2026, consider the following statements: 1. India has 60 days of crude oil stock, 60 days of natural gas and 45 days of LPG rolling stock. 2. State-run Oil Marketing Companies are absorbing average losses of approximately Rs 1,000 crore every day on retail fuel sales. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct as confirmed by Minister Puri on 12 May 2026. India holds 60 days of crude, 60 days of natural gas and 45 days of LPG rolling stock; OMCs are absorbing approximately Rs 1,000 crore daily losses, with quarterly losses possibly reaching Rs 1 lakh crore.
Frequently asked questions
What is Indias current fuel stock position as on 12 May 2026?
India has 60 days of crude oil stock, 60 days of natural gas rolling stock and 45 days of LPG rolling stock, according to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
What is the daily loss being absorbed by Oil Marketing Companies?
State-run OMCs are absorbing losses of approximately Rs 1,000 crore every day to insulate consumers from rising global crude prices; quarterly losses could touch Rs 1 lakh crore.
What is the level of Indias foreign exchange reserves?
Indias foreign exchange reserves stand at USD 703 billion as cited by Minister Puri on 12 May 2026.
Why did the Prime Minister appeal for austerity?
The PMs seven-point appeal sought to conserve foreign exchange by urging citizens to cut foreign travel, postpone gold purchases for a year, reduce fuel use, and prefer public transport and carpooling, amid rising global crude prices linked to West Asia conflict.
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