The price of diesel was at Rs 66.93 per litre in Delhi, Rs 69.35 per litre in Kolkata, Rs 70.22 per litre in Mumbai and Rs 70.76 per litre in Chennai.

In these metros, the diesel prices were hiked by up to 21 paise per litre each compared to Sunday's rates.

The domestic fuel prices are determined broadly by dollar-rupee exchange rate and global crude oil prices.

At the forex market, the rupee opened lower at 71.08 on Monday, down 14 paise over its last close. The local unit however pared the initial loss and was trading higher at 70.88 against the US dollar at 2:22 pm.

Globally, oil prices gained more than 1 per cent on Monday as Middle East tensions remained elevated.

Experts suggested that following the largest ever-disruption of crude production in Saudi Arabia amid drone attacks on its key facilities, prices of petrol and diesel in India may shoot up by Rs 5 to 6 a litre.

A report by Kotak said that in light of the sharp rise in international crude oil prices, Indian oil marketing companies (OMCs) may increase the retail price of diesel and gasoline by Rs 5 to 6 per litre in the following fortnight.

However, government sources have indicated that, even if the surge in crude prices holds on for a longer period, consumers would not be burdened with high auto fuel prices as oil companies and the government may absorb a portion of the price hike.

On September 17, global energy prices spiked by 15 per cent after a weekend attack on key oil facilities in Saudi Arabia caused the worst disruption to world supplies on record.