The domestic equity market declined sharply on Thursday, with both benchmark indices closing lower after a volatile trading session. The Sensex fell 570.59 points, or about 0.79%, to close at 71,909.70, while the Nifty 50 declined 198.50 points, or approximately 0.88%, to 22,421.95.
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) benchmark Sensex opened lower and came under increasing selling pressure as the session progressed. By afternoon, the index had fallen more than 950 points. Selling and profit-taking in equities kept the market under pressure. However, buying emerged from the day's lower levels during the final part of the session, helping the Sensex and Nifty recover part of their losses. Despite the recovery, both indices ended in the red.
Several factors, including global cues, foreign investor activity, crude oil prices and economic data, influence the direction of the equity market.
Amid the decline in the equity market, government data showed that India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection increased 14.7% year-on-year to ₹2.04 lakh crore in September 2026.
Gross GST collection from domestic economic activity rose 10.1% year-on-year to around ₹1.38 lakh crore. GST revenue from imports increased at a faster pace, rising 26% to ₹65,525 crore.
GST refunds declined by around 3% year-on-year in September, with total refunds amounting to ₹27,001 crore. After adjusting for refunds, net GST collection stood at ₹1.76 lakh crore, an increase of 18.1% compared with the same period last year.
During the first half of financial year 2026-27, from April to September, net GST collection also increased. Net collection during the period rose 11.6% year-on-year to ₹12.46 lakh crore.
