Mumbai, April 8 -- Headline equity benchmarks traded with strong gains, driven 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 above the 23,900 mark during the session, while auto stocks extended their rally for the third consecutive trading day.

At 10:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, climbed 2,620.29 points or 3.51% to 77,236.87. T...