Indian equity benchmark -- Nifty ended flat with positive bias on Monday amid renewed geopolitical tensions. Index made a flat-to-positive start following positive cues from other Asian markets. Soon, index turned volatile but managed to gain some traction as traders took some support with foreign fund inflow. As exchange data, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth Rs 683.20 crore on April 17, 2026. Further, some support came as the Ministry of Commerce and Industry rolled out a set of reforms to improve the functioning of Norms Committees under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), aiming to speed up Advance Authorisation approvals and simplify procedures for exporters. However, in second half of the session, index started trimming gain as renewed US-Iran worries weighted on market sentiments. The US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, which followed Iran firing at commercial vehicles passing through the Strait of Hormuz, renewing concerns over flow of shipping traffic through the Strait. In last leg of the session, index wiped out most of its gain and ended tad above in green terrain.

India Volatility Index (VIX), a gauge for market’s short-term expectation of volatility rose by 9.21% and reached 18.79. The 50 share Nifty up by 11.30 point or 0.05% to settle at 24,364.85.

Nifty April 2026 futures closed at 24312.00 (LTP) on Monday, at a discount of 52.85 points over spot closing of 24364.85, while Nifty May 2026 futures ended at 24450.00 (LTP), at a premium of 85.15 points over spot closing. Nifty April futures saw a contraction of 1,375 units, taking the total open interest (Contracts) to 2,63,266 units. The near month derivatives contract will expire on April 28, 2026. (Provisional)

From the most active contracts, HDFC Bank April 2026 futures traded at a discount of 0.50 points at 794.70 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 795.20. The numbers of contracts traded were 84,753. (Provisional)

State Bank of India April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 0.25 points at 1104.25 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1104.00. The numbers of contracts traded were 28,674. (Provisional)

ICICI Bank April 2026 futures traded at a premium of 1.70 points at 1356.00 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1354.30. The numbers of contracts traded were 28,357. (Provisional)

Reliance Industries April 2026 futures traded at a discount of 1.10 points at 1360.00 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 1361.10. The numbers of contracts traded were 20,838. (Provisional)

Bharat Heavy Electricals April 2026 futures traded at a discount of 0.75 points at 324.25 (LTP) compared with spot closing of 325.00. The numbers of contracts traded were 19,094. (Provisional)

Among, Nifty calls, 25000 SP from the April month expiry was the most active call with an addition of 5,064 units open interests. Among Nifty puts, 24000 SP from the April month expiry was the most active put with an addition of 1,382 units open interests. The maximum OI outstanding for Calls was at 26000 SP (1,24,450 units) and that for Puts was at 21000 SP (96,395 units). The respective Support and Resistance levels of Nifty are: Resistance 24483.25 -- Pivot Point 24362.25 -- Support 24243.85.

The Nifty Put Call Ratio (PCR) finally stood at (1.13) for April month contract. The top five scrips with highest PCR on Page Industries (1.24), Asian Paints (1.22), GAIL (India) (1.20), BSE (1.19), and Hitachi Energy India (1.17).

Among most active underlying HDFC Bank witnessed an addition of 28,892 units of Open Interest in the April month futures, ICICI Bank witnessed an addition of 3,733 units of Open Interest in the April month future, State Bank of India witnessed an addition of 1,559 units of Open Interest in the April month future, Bharat Heavy Electricals witnessed an addition of 2,206 units of Open Interest in the April month futures and Reliance Industries witnessed an addition of 2,722 units of Open Interest in the April month futures. (Provisional).