Indian Equity Markets Face Broad Sell-Off as Nifty 50 Breaks Below 25,000

Benchmark Indian indices extended losses during Thursday's session, with the Nifty 50 sliding below the psychologically significant 25,000 level. The index fell 0.22% to 25,001 by midday, while the Sensex dropped 0.20% to 81,554.11. Market breadth tilted decidedly negative, with 2,425 decliners outpacing 1,630 advancing stocks on the BSE.

Sector-agnostic selling pressure dominated trading, with 160 stocks hitting lower circuit limits. Tata Motors led large-cap losers, plunging 2.56% amid cybersecurity concerns at its Jaguar Land Rover unit. The auto manufacturer's decline contrasted with outperformance in defense stocks, as Bharat Electronics surged 2.47% to lead Nifty gainers.

The selloff occurred despite relative strength in banking stocks, with Axis Bank and HDFC Bank both posting modest gains. Market participants appeared to rotate out of consumer discretionary names, as Asian Paints fell 2.55% and Trent continued its downward trajectory.