<h1>Excise duty cut on petrol and diesel eases fuel cost pressure amid rising global crude prices.</h1> Excise duty on petrol has been reduced and diesel has been exempted from the levy with immediate effect to cushion consumers and fuel retailers from the impact of rising global crude prices. The notification lowers the duty on petrol and brings the diesel duty to nil, reflecting a policy response to volatility in international oil markets and the strain created by unchanged retail pump prices. The duty reduction is intended to provide headroom to fuel retailers by easing input-cost pressure and supporting price stability in the domestic market.