Top Traded by Volume Today 23-Mar-2026: Most Active Stocks

Indian equity markets witnessed a sharp sell-off on Monday, with benchmark indices plunging over 2.4%. The Nifty 50 index fell 561.65 points (2.43%) to close at 22,558.90, while the Sensex tanked 1,803.61 points (2.42%) to settle at 72,729.35. Market breadth was overwhelmingly negative, with 597 stocks advancing and 3,334 declining on the BSE, reflecting widespread selling pressure. Telecom and banking stocks dominated the volume charts amid the market downturn.

Large Cap Top Traded by Volume

Vodafone Idea Ltd (-6.84%) Vodafone Idea was the most traded stock by a significant margin, with volumes soaring amid a sharp price decline. The selling pressure was attributed to persistent concerns over the company's financial health, including consecutive quarterly losses, which overshadowed any positive sector developments. The high volume indicates a large-scale exit by traders and investors in a risk-off market environment.

HDFC Bank Ltd (-4.70%) The banking heavyweight saw unusually high trading volume as its stock fell sharply, contributing significantly to the benchmark indices' decline. The move was part of a broader sell-off in the banking sector, with investors reducing exposure to financial stocks amid market volatility. The high volume underscores the intense selling pressure on the counter.

Eternal Ltd (-2.30%) Eternal Ltd featured among the most active stocks with elevated trading volumes. The price decline was in line with the broader market crash, suggesting that the high activity was driven by widespread selling rather than any company-specific negative news.

Tata Steel Ltd (-4.80%) Tata Steel witnessed high trading volumes as the stock corrected sharply due to profit-booking across the metals sector. After recent gains, investors offloaded their positions in metal stocks, leading to a sector-wide decline. The substantial volume confirms that the price drop was driven by widespread profit-taking.

ITC Ltd (-3.17%) Despite its defensive appeal, ITC was not immune to the market-wide rout, seeing high trading volumes as its price fell. The activity suggests that even stable, large-cap stocks faced selling pressure as institutional investors likely de-risked their portfolios during the sharp market correction.

Mid Cap Top Traded by Volume

Yes Bank Ltd (-4.95%) Yes Bank was among the most active mid-cap stocks, with high volumes accompanying a nearly 5% price drop. The stock was caught in the broad-based sell-off that gripped the banking sector, leading to heightened trading activity as investors squared off positions.

Suzlon Energy Ltd (-4.84%) Suzlon Energy saw significant trading volume as its share price declined in line with the weak market sentiment. As a high-beta stock, it experienced amplified selling pressure during the market-wide correction, attracting high trading interest from short-term traders.

IDFC First Bank Ltd (-4.29%) High trading volumes were recorded in IDFC First Bank as the stock succumbed to the selling pressure seen across the financial sector. The decline was part of the broader market downturn, with investors reducing their holdings in banking and financial services companies.

IDBI Bank Ltd (-7.87%) IDBI Bank was a top volume mover and a significant loser in the mid-cap space, falling nearly 8%. The sharp decline on high volume was a result of the intense selling pressure that impacted the entire banking industry during the day's bearish session.

NMDC Ltd (-5.99%) The state-owned iron ore producer witnessed a surge in trading volume as its stock price fell. The decline was triggered by profit-booking in the metals and mining sector, which corrected sharply after a period of strong performance.

Small Cap Top Traded by Volume

Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd (-10.39%) Jaiprakash Power Ventures was the most-traded small-cap stock as it plunged over 10% following weak quarterly results. The company reported a 97% year-on-year decline in its Q3 net profit, which triggered a massive sell-off from investors. Negative sentiment was further compounded by a recent credit rating watch and a corporate insolvency resolution process initiated by a financial creditor.

NOCIL Ltd (+11.23%) NOCIL bucked the market trend, surging over 11% on exceptionally high trading volume. The rally was driven by strong technical momentum, as the stock showed significant relative strength against a falling market and a declining chemicals sector. The high volume indicates robust buying interest, possibly from investors anticipating a turnaround.

DCX Systems Ltd (+7.32%) Shares of DCX Systems rallied sharply after the company announced a major order win. The defence manufacturing firm secured a purchase order worth Rs 563.45 crore from a domestic customer for the manufacture and supply of maritime patrol radar systems. This significant order win boosted investor confidence and led to a surge in both price and trading volume.

Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd (+14.44%) Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals was another outlier, soaring over 14% on massive trading volumes. The stock defied the broader market and sectoral weakness, indicating strong, stock-specific buying momentum. The precise catalyst was not immediately clear, but the scale of the move suggests a significant positive development or strong institutional interest.

GTL Infrastructure Ltd (-2.91%) The penny stock saw high trading volumes, which is characteristic of such counters, especially during volatile market sessions. The minor price drop was in sync with the overall negative market sentiment, with trading activity largely driven by speculative interest.

Market Overview

Indian markets experienced a bloodbath, with the Nifty 50 plunging 561.65 points (2.43%) to 22,558.90 and the Sensex crashing 1,803.61 points (2.42%) to 72,729.35. The sell-off was broad-based, as evidenced by the extremely weak market breadth, where decliners outnumbered advancers by more than five to one on the BSE. Volatility surged, with the India VIX jumping over 14% to 26.13, signaling heightened fear among investors.

All sectoral indices ended in the red, with significant selling pressure witnessed in banking, metals, and financial services. The sharp fall was attributed to a risk-off sentiment among market participants, leading to widespread profit-booking and liquidation of positions across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks.

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