New Delhi, India — April 22, 2026
India’s benchmark stock indices opened sharply lower on Wednesday, reversing the previous session’s strong rally, as global uncertainties and rising crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiment.
In early trade, the BSE Sensex plunged 494.12 points to 78,779.21, while the NSE Nifty 50 declined 142.2 points to 24,434.40, signaling cautious market mood at the start of the third trading session of the week.
The downturn comes a day after a robust surge on Tuesday, when the Sensex had jumped 753.03 points to close at 79,273.33, and the Nifty gained 211.75 points, or 0.87%, to settle at 24,576.60.
Market participants are now turning cautious amid continued uncertainty surrounding a potential peace agreement in West Asia, which has kept global energy markets volatile. Elevated crude oil prices are adding pressure on emerging markets like India, impacting both equities and currency.
The Indian rupee also extended its losses for the third consecutive session. In early trade, the currency weakened by 31 paise to 93.75 against the US dollar, reflecting increased demand for the greenback and concerns over rising import costs due to higher oil prices.
Analysts note that sustained crude price pressure could weigh further on inflation and the broader macroeconomic outlook, prompting investors to adopt a wait-and-watch approach.
