Indian benchmark indices snapped a two-day gaining streak on February 24 (Monthly Nifty F&O expiry), ending sharply lower with the Nifty closing below 25,450 led by weakness in information technology shares amid concerns over AI-led disruption.

Amid mixed global cues, the market opened lower with the Nifty below 25,650 and witnessed extended selling as the day progressed, dragging the index below 25,350 intraday amid fresh concern over US tariff and geopolitical tensions.

At close, the Sensex was down 1,068.74 points or 1.28 percent at 82,225.92, and the Nifty was down 288.35 points or 1.12 percent at 25,424.65.

The broader market also ended lower, with the Nifty Midcap index shedding 0.3 percent and the Smallcap index falling 0.55 percent.

Among sectors, the IT index was the worst hit, plunging more than 4 percent, while the realty index declined over 2 percent. However, metal, pharma, PSU Bank, oil & gas, energy rose 0.3-1%.

Biggest Nifty losers were Tech Mahindra, Eternal, Infosys, TCS, HCL Technologies, while gainers included HUL, Hindalco Industries, Coal India, NTPC, JSW Steel.

In stock specific action, Bharti Airtel share price fell 2% on Rs 20,000 crore investment in Airtel Money, Blue Cloud Softech Solutions share price slipped 5% on acquisition of 100% in Global Impex Inc, Eris Lifesciences shares rose 2.7% on partnership with Natco Pharma, Indoco Remedies shares added 4% on final USFDA approval for Brivaracetam Oral Solution, Waaree Energies shares added more than 4% post winning order for supply of 500 MW solar modules.

90 stocks touched their 52-week high, including Bank of Maharashtra, Hitachi Energy, NTPC, Torrent Pharma, Polycab India, Astral, Bharat Forge, Union Bank of India, Jindal Steel, JB Chemicals, Marico, Bank of India, Cummins, Indian Bank, Federal Bank, SBI, L&T, among others.

Nearly 350 stocks touched their 52-week low, including LT Technology, KPIT Technologies, Mastek, Zensar Technologies, Hexaware Technologies, Firstsource Soluations, Tata Tech, Info Edge, Tata Elxsi, Sonata Software, Infosys, TCS, CE Info Systems, Cyient, Network 18, Wipro, Vedant Fashions, SRF, Just Dial, among others.