Indian equity benchmarks ended a volatile session with minor gains on Monday, April 21, 2026, as investors remained cautious ahead of a key geopolitical deadline. The Nifty 50 index closed at 24,432.15, up 0.15%, while the Sensex gained 0.18% to 80,324.67.
Technical analysts note the index is consolidating below the crucial 24,500 level. "The Nifty needs to break decisively above 24,500 for a sharp upmove toward 24,800, which is near its 200-day exponential moving average," said Sameet Chavan, Chief Analyst-Technical and Derivatives at Angel One. He added that until that breakout occurs, consolidation is likely to continue.
On the downside, immediate support for the Nifty is placed at 24,200, followed by the 24,100β24,000 zone as a crucial support band. Market sentiment is being influenced by global factors, including the approaching deadline for a ceasefire agreement in ongoing international conflicts, which is keeping volatility elevated.
The broader market underperformed the benchmarks, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices closing in the red. Sectorally, performance was mixed, with buying interest seen in IT and FMCG stocks, while realty and media sectors faced pressure.
