Mumbai, April 8 -- The key equity barometers witnessed strong buying interest in afternoon trade, supported by a sharp decline in oil prices following the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. Market sentiment was further lifted by a strengthening rupee, adding to the overall positive momentum, and was further supported by the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision. The MPC kept the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.25% in its first policy meeting of the financial year 2026-27, under Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The Nifty traded near the 24,000 level.

All the sectoral indices on the NSE were traded in green with realty, auto and consumer durables shares leading the rally.

At 13:25 ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Se...