March 16, 2026 – Indian benchmarks opened weak on Monday, with the Nifty 50 down 0.4% below 24,200 and the Sensex losing 300 points near 78,900, dragged by defence, IT and pharma heavyweights amid fresh FII selling of ₹1,200 crore and global yield spikes. Energy and financials offered marginal support, but broader rotation out of high-valuation names continued.
The Nifty’s top decliners reflected sector-specific profit booking, with 20 constituents logging notable losses on healthy volumes.
| Symbol | LTP | %Chng | Volume (Lakhs) | Value (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEL | 426.25 | -2.99 | 835.25 | 3589.42 |
| WIPRO | 194.11 | -1.76 | 536.60 | 1050.18 |
| DRREDDY | 1270.1 | -1.72 | 43.97 | 562.86 |
| NTPC | 378.05 | -1.66 | 314.65 | 1201.61 |
| POWERGRID | 296.05 | -1.63 | 1009.49 | 2994.34 |
| INFY | 1228.3 | -1.60 | 342.43 | 4233.76 |
| SUNPHARMA | 1772.9 | -1.59 | 70.35 | 1260.02 |
| MAXHEALTH | 975.1 | -1.51 | 154.63 | 1511.65 |
| TCS | 2375.8 | -1.44 | 145.76 | 3481.97 |
| COALINDIA | 461.1 | -1.26 | 515.98 | 2390.56 |
- BEL plunged 2.99% to ₹426.25 on blockbuster volume of 835.25 lakh shares worth ₹3,589.42 crore, as defence order execution concerns resurfaced amid delayed capex announcements.
- Wipro fell 1.76% to ₹194.11 with 536.60 lakh shares traded for ₹1,050.18 crore, reflecting IT sector headwinds from delayed US client budgets.
- Dr Reddy’s Laboratories dropped 1.72% to ₹1,270.10 on 43.97 lakh share turnover valued at ₹562.86 crore, hit by USFDA observations and margin pressure in generics.
- NTPC declined 1.66% to ₹378.05 amid 314.65 lakh shares for ₹1,201.61 crore, as power utility peers faced coal linkage uncertainties.
