Sensex crosses 81,500 & Nifty nears 24,930 as Reliance and Airtel lift markets
The Indian stock market begins the day with a positive tone. Both benchmark indices, the Sensex and the Nifty 50, move higher in early trade. The Nifty 50 crosses the 24,900 mark and trades at around 24,928 points, while the Sensex climbs above 81,500 with gains of more than 200 points.
The rise in early trade reflects renewed optimism among investors who are encouraged by domestic reforms and improving global signals. Market breadth also remains strong as midcap and smallcap indices register modest gains alongside large caps.
Impact of Reliance Industries
Reliance Industries plays a significant role in driving the market upward. The company attracts attention after entering the healthy beverages segment through a new joint venture. This diversification is seen as a positive long-term growth move. Analysts highlight multiple revenue drivers for Reliance, ranging from energy and telecom to retail and consumer goods.
As a result, its stock price shows strength, and this upward move contributes heavily to the Sensex and Nifty’s gains. Along with Reliance, Bharti Airtel also supports market sentiment with steady demand for telecom and data services.
GST Reform Expectations
A major factor lifting investor sentiment today is the anticipation of upcoming Goods and Services Tax reforms. The government is expected to announce measures that will simplify compliance and reduce paperwork. These reforms could also address multiple rates and move towards a more uniform system.
Such changes are particularly beneficial for industries like automobiles, cement, consumer goods, retail, hotels, and financial services. Lowering the cost of compliance and ensuring greater efficiency across supply chains is likely to improve profitability and boost demand in these sectors. The prospect of these reforms is already encouraging buying interest in related stocks.
Global Cues and Geopolitical Developments
The market is not moving in isolation. Global developments add fuel to the positive sentiment. Reports of progress in talks between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia create hope for a possible settlement of the ongoing conflict. If peace measures gain ground, global commodity prices may stabilize, and investor confidence could strengthen further.
At the same time, all eyes are on the U.S. Federal Reserve. Investors expect clarity on the possibility of a rate cut in September. This expectation is leading to strong inflows into emerging markets, including India. After a phase of heavy selling, foreign institutional investors are once again buying Indian equities, which provides a significant boost to overall liquidity.
Performance of Broader Markets
While large-cap stocks lead the rally, the midcap and smallcap segments also witness gains. The broader market indices rise by around 0.2 percent, which signals that buying is not limited to a handful of heavyweights. Investors are showing confidence across a wide range of companies. Sectors such as automobiles, retail, cement, and telecom are attracting attention. The optimism reflects confidence in India’s domestic growth story and the expectation that reforms will unlock further demand.
Technical Picture and Resistance Levels
From a technical standpoint, the Nifty closed the previous session at 24,876 with a strong one percent gain. Today, it trades near 24,928, signaling resilience. However, analysts caution that there is resistance around the 25,000 level. If Nifty manages to break and sustain above this level, the index could see further gains towards 25,250.
On the downside, immediate support lies at 24,800, and if this level breaks, the index could slip to around 24,500. The presence of a candlestick formation known as a shooting star is also creating caution among traders. This pattern often signals that the market may pause or consolidate after a sharp rise. Hence, while sentiment is upbeat, volatility remains possible.
Long-Term Outlook
Looking at the longer horizon, analysts remain bullish on Indian equities. Projections suggest that the Nifty could reach around 26,500 by the end of 2025 and move towards 28,450 by the end of 2026. For the Sensex, the forecast is about 86,100 by year-end and close to 95,000 by the end of 2026. These targets reflect confidence in India’s structural growth story, driven by reforms, consumption, infrastructure spending, and strong corporate balance sheets. However, valuations remain a concern. At current levels, the Nifty trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of around 23.5, which is considered expensive compared to historical averages. This raises the possibility of corrections in the near term, even within a long-term bullish trend.
Lessons from Recent Volatility
The year 2025 has already witnessed periods of turbulence. At the start of the year, the stock market faced a sharp fall due to global tariff shocks and weakness in the rupee. Heavy selling by foreign investors added to the pain. The correction tested investor patience, but recovery signs emerged by March, helped by government and central bank measures. These events serve as a reminder that even in a strong long-term growth story, volatility and unexpected corrections are part of the market cycle. Risk management and careful stock selection remain essential.
Regulatory Oversight
Another element influencing investor confidence is regulatory oversight. The Securities and Exchange Board of India recently took strict action in the case involving Jane Street Capital, which faced allegations of manipulation in the derivatives segment. Authorities froze over ₹4,800 crore in suspected illicit gains and banned the firm from certain market operations. Such steps underline the regulator’s intention to ensure transparency and protect investor interests. Although these cases raise concerns in the short term, effective enforcement strengthens trust in the long run.
Broader Confidence and Risk Factors
Despite the gains, investors remain alert to global risks. Trade tensions, unpredictable geopolitical developments, and high valuations could lead to sudden corrections. The possibility of delayed global monetary easing or renewed commodity shocks also hangs over the market. Still, the underlying strength of domestic demand, government focus on reforms, and improving corporate earnings outlook keep the overall trajectory positive. India continues to attract foreign investors looking for growth opportunities in an otherwise slowing global economy.
Final Thoughts
The Indian stock market today reflects a balance between optimism and caution. Gains in the Sensex and Nifty highlight renewed confidence in domestic reforms and global developments. Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel provide leadership in large caps, while midcap and smallcap stocks show that broader participation is improving. Anticipated GST reforms serve as a strong domestic trigger, while the possibility of peace talks in Europe and easing global monetary policy provide supportive international cues.
While the long-term outlook for Indian equities remains promising, near-term risks linked to high valuations and technical resistance points cannot be ignored. The journey ahead may include both rallies and pullbacks. However, the market today demonstrates the resilience of Indian equities and their capacity to attract investors despite global uncertainties.