Castrol India Q1 PAT Rises 4% to ₹242 Crore

Castrol India Limited reported a profit after tax (PAT) of ₹242 crore for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, up 4% year-on-year, while revenue from operations rose 9% to ₹1,545 crore. EBITDA for the quarter stood at ₹329 crore, up 7% year-on-year.

The company, which follows a January–December financial year, recorded steady growth in both automotive and industrial segments during the quarter. Volume growth remained in the high single digits sequentially, supported by market share gains and continued execution of its distribution-led strategy.

Executive Director and interim CEO Saugata Basuray said the company expanded its rural reach by targeting village clusters with populations below 20,000, resulting in double-digit growth in its rural portfolio. In urban markets, the company focused on premium products, increasing distribution in high-consumption areas and driving both volume and value growth. The industrial segment also maintained double-digit growth, aided by new customer additions and sectoral expansion.

Chief Financial Officer Mrinalini Srinivasan said the company began to see early signs of external pressures toward the end of the quarter, including currency fluctuations and rising raw material costs linked to geopolitical developments. She added that the company is responding through calibrated pricing, cost discipline, and supply chain measures to manage a potentially inflationary environment.

During the quarter, Castrol India expanded its distribution network to around 150,000 outlets across general trade, modern retail, and e-commerce channels. Its service ecosystem included about 800 Castrol Auto Service centres, 34,000 independent bike workshops, and 13,000 multi-brand workshops. Rural distribution reached approximately 43,000 outlets, supported by 700 Rural Service Express centres.

The company also strengthened its industrial and automotive product portfolio with new launches across lubricants, greases, and vehicle care products, while adding over 600 customers, including in mining and the electric two-wheeler segment. It also signed a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited to explore development of a re-refined base oil ecosystem in India.

Looking ahead, the company said it expects macroeconomic conditions to remain volatile but will continue to focus on distribution expansion, premiumisation, and cost management while maintaining growth momentum.