Mumbai, June 16 -- Indian equity markets extended gains for a third consecutive session with Sensex zooming over 500 points and Nifty inching towards the 24,000 mark. Nifty Realty, IT and Media emerged as the strongest gainers during Tuesday's session.

However, metals, healthcare, cement and pharma remained weak, limiting broader momentum with leadership shifting towards technology and domestic-facing sectors. On the other hand, broader markets remained mixed with smallcaps gaining and midcaps slipping.

Metals were the biggest drag, slipping over 2 per cent amid profit booking and a sharp decline in aluminium prices. Nifty closed at 23,989.15, up 135.25 points or 0.57 per cent, Sensex settled in the green at 76,808.48, up 544.15 points ...