New Delhi, May 25 -- Indian stock markets opened sharply higher on Monday, supported by strong gains across Asian markets and a steep fall in global crude oil prices.

The BSE Sensex jumped 826.09 points or 1.10 per cent to 76,241.44 in early trade, while the NSE Nifty 50 rose 239.90 points or 1.01 per cent to 23,959.20.

Market experts said the upbeat opening reflected improving global sentiment and optimism in domestic equities.

Asian markets also traded firmly in positive territory. Japan's Nikkei 225 led the rally, surging more than 3 per cent, while Taiwan's Weighted Index gained nearly 2.9 per cent.

Other regional indices, including Hong Kong's Hang Seng, China's Shanghai Composite, Thailand's SET Composite and Singapore's Straits...