Mumbai, July 21 -- Indian benchmark indices opened on a flat note on Tuesday, with both the Sensex and Nifty starting the session with a gap-down, even as global crude oil prices eased slightly amid reports of mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.

At the time of reporting, Sensex was trading at 77,697.75, down 10.77 points or 0.01 per cent, while the Nifty was at 24,255.50, up 17 points or 0.07 per cent.

The Sensex opened at 77,649.63 against its previous close of 77,708.52. Similarly, the Nifty opened at 24,216.05 compared to its previous close of 24,238.50.

Most sectoral indices traded in the green during early trade, with Nifty Cement emerging as the top gainer, rising 1.10 per cent. Broad market indices also traded ...