Sensex Plunges 1048 Points in 2026 Selloff; Nifty Below 25,500

A Sharp Downturn in Indian Equities

The Indian stock market witnessed a severe selloff on Friday, February 13, 2026, as benchmark indices recorded their sharpest fall in recent sessions. Intensified selling pressure across all sectors pushed the BSE Sensex down by 1,048.16 points, or 1.25%, to close at 82,626.76. Similarly, the NSE Nifty 50 index tumbled 336.10 points, or 1.30%, to settle at 25,471.10, breaching a key psychological level. The market rout was not confined to large-cap stocks, as broader markets also came under significant pressure, reflecting widespread investor anxiety.

Broad-Based Market Decline

The weakness on Friday was comprehensive, impacting all segments of the market. The Nifty Midcap 100 index fell by 1.71%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index declined by 1.79%, indicating that the selling was not isolated to the front-line indices. Market breadth was heavily skewed towards decliners, underscoring the bearish sentiment that prevailed throughout the trading session. The session's performance extended a period of weakness, with markets having already closed lower in the preceding days. On the previous Thursday, the Sensex had tumbled 780 points to close at 84,181, setting a negative tone for the end of the week.

Sectoral Carnage Led by Metals and IT

No sector was spared from the downturn, with all NSE sectoral indices ending the day in the red. The Nifty Metal index was the worst performer, plunging 3.31%. According to Kranthi Bathini, Equity Strategist at WealthMills Securities, the metal sector had seen a sharp rally in the recent past, and Friday's fall was a result of significant profit booking combined with a knee-jerk reaction to the overall domestic market weakness.

The information technology (IT) sector also faced a substantial correction. This decline was attributed to growing concerns about the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Mayuresh Joshi, Head of Equity Research at William O'Neil India, noted that the IT sector is undergoing a "massive shakeout." He explained that the race to build superior AI agents and applications could create significant disruption within the sector and for the industries it serves, advising investors to remain cautious. Bathini added that it is now critical for Indian IT companies to adapt their business models to these technological shifts to ensure their long-term sustainability.

Heavyweights Drag Indices Lower

The sharp fall in the benchmark indices was driven by losses in several heavyweight stocks. Key contributors to the decline included HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), ICICI Bank, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and ITC. The widespread selling in these influential companies amplified the negative sentiment and pulled the entire market lower. Other sectors such as FMCG, consumer durables, realty, energy, and financial services also contributed significantly to the day's losses.

Key Market Data from the Selloff

Market Context and Preceding Weakness

The sharp correction on February 13 did not occur in isolation. The market had been showing signs of weakness in the preceding days and weeks. For instance, on January 8, 2026, the Sensex had closed down 780 points, and the Nifty 50 had fallen by 264 points. This followed a multi-day losing streak where the Sensex had shed nearly 1,600 points. The consistent selling pressure leading up to Friday's plunge suggests that underlying concerns were already building among investors, which were then exacerbated by the day's triggers.

Analysis of the Market Mood

The steep decline reflects a combination of factors. Profit booking in sectors that had performed well, like metals, was a significant driver. However, the more structural concern appears to be the uncertainty surrounding the IT sector's future in an AI-dominated world. This technological shift is forcing a re-evaluation of traditional business models, leading to a selloff in major IT stocks. The broad-based nature of the decline across both cyclical and defensive sectors indicates that the negative sentiment was pervasive, likely fueled by a mix of domestic concerns and global cues.

Conclusion

The market's sharp fall on February 13, 2026, wiped out significant investor wealth and highlighted growing vulnerabilities. The Sensex's 1,048-point drop was a clear signal of investor caution amid concerns over technological disruption in the IT space and profit-taking in high-flying sectors. With all sectoral indices closing in the red, the selloff was unambiguous. Moving forward, market participants will closely watch how Indian IT companies navigate the AI transition and whether the broader market can find a stable footing after such a significant correction.