Windfall Tax Cut on Petrol, Diesel and ATF Exports
Centre reduces special additional excise duty on fuel exports; revised rates will remain in force for two weeks from August 15.
NEW DELHI, August 15, 2026: The Central Government has reduced the windfall gains tax on exports of petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
The revised rates will come into effect from August 15 and remain applicable for two weeks, according to the report.
DIESEL EXPORT TAX CUT
The Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on diesel exports has been reduced from:
₹25.50 per litre → ₹24 per litre
This represents a reduction of ₹1.50 per litre.
ATF EXPORT TAX CUT
The excise duty on ATF exports has been reduced from:
₹22 per litre → ₹19.50 per litre
The reduction amounts to ₹2.50 per litre.
PETROL EXPORT DUTY SCRAPPED
The government has reduced the export duty on petrol from:
₹3.50 per litre → Nil
This means the additional export duty on petrol has effectively been removed under the latest revision.
NEW RATES
Fuel Earlier rate Revised rate Change
Diesel ₹25.50/litre ₹24/litre ↓ ₹1.50
ATF ₹22/litre ₹19.50/litre ↓ ₹2.50
Petrol ₹3.50/litre ₹0 ↓ ₹3.50
WHY WAS THE WINDfall TAX IMPOSED?
The government had introduced higher export duties amid West Asia tensions, with the stated objective of improving domestic fuel availability.
According to the report:
Export duty on diesel and ATF was increased from March 27.
Export duty on petrol was increased from May 16.
The rates have subsequently been reviewed every 15 days.
WHAT DOES THE LATEST MOVE MEAN?
The reduction gives fuel exporters some relief by lowering the additional tax burden on exported petroleum products.
At the same time, the government continues to review the rates periodically in response to international energy-market conditions and domestic fuel requirements.
KEY POINTS
Windfall gains tax on fuel exports has been reduced.
Diesel SAED cut to ₹24/litre.
ATF export duty cut to ₹19.50/litre.
Petrol export duty reduced to zero.
New rates apply from August 15 for two weeks.
Export taxes are reviewed every 15 days.
The earlier tax increases were introduced amid West Asia tensions and concerns over domestic fuel availability.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The government is expected to review the fuel export-duty rates again after the latest two-week period, depending on international crude and refined-product markets and domestic fuel availability.