Mumbai, Oct 6: Indian stock markets opened slightly higher on Monday, supported by gains in banking and IT shares, as investor sentiment improved following the Reserve Bank of India’s recent lending reforms and ahead of the upcoming quarterly earnings season.

At the opening bell, the Sensex rose 67 points, or nearly 0.09 per cent, to 81,274.79, while the Nifty advanced 22 points, or nearly 0.10 per cent, to 24,916.55.

Among the major gainers on the Sensex were Bajaj Finance, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, HCL Tech, TCS, Trent, and Infosys, which climbed up to 1 per cent.

In the broader markets, the Nifty MidCap and Nifty SmallCap indices also moved up by 0.11 per cent and 0.08 per cent, respectively.

Market analysts said the Indian equity benchmarks showed strength despite global uncertainties and domestic challenges.

They attributed the positive momentum to the RBI’s dovish stance, which kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.5 per cent, while lowering the inflation forecast for FY26 and raising the GDP growth outlook.

“Capital market lending reforms and expectations of strong festive demand also boosted investor confidence,” analysts added.

Analysts, however, advised traders to remain cautious amid ongoing volatility.

“A buy-on-dips strategy remains advisable, especially in leveraged positions. Investors should book partial profits on rallies and use tight stop-losses. Fresh long positions should be taken only if the Nifty sustains above the 25,000 mark,” they said.

This week, market activity is expected to be influenced by corporate earnings announcements, management commentaries on the second half of FY26, developments in the IPO market, the release of FOMC minutes, and US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech.

Hopes of progress in the India-US trade deal are also likely to guide investor sentiment.

On Friday, both benchmark indices had extended their rally for a second straight session.

The Sensex had closed 223.86 points, or 0.28 per cent, higher at 81,207.17, while the Nifty rose 57.95 points, or 0.23 per cent, to settle at 24,894.25.

Mumbai: The son of a local leader from Shiv Sena (UBT) was arrested by Nirmal Nagar police on October 1 for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl inside the gents’ public toilet in Bandra East. The City Civil and Sessions Court in Mazgaon sent him into police custody until October 6.

According to the police, on October 1, the accused took the victim into the public gents’ toilet in Bandra East and allegedly raped her, after which he threatened her life. The case has been registered under the POCSO Act. The investigation is on.

Thane: Three people, including a US national, were arrested in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Saturday for allegedly attempting to convert villagers to Christianity. The incident occurred in Chimbipada, a locality in Bhiwandi and came to light after a video showing the police confronting the accused went viral on social media.

In the video, the foreign national can be seen speaking to a group of locals gathered inside a house. Police officials, upon reaching the spot, questioned him and his companions but reportedly received vague and unsatisfactory responses. As a result, all three individuals were taken into custody for further investigation.

According to the police, the arrests followed a complaint filed by a local resident who alleged that a religious gathering had been organised on Friday afternoon outside one of the houses in the village. During the meeting, the accused allegedly distributed books on Christianity to men, women and children, while also leading them in prayers. The complaint further stated that the accused told villagers that embracing Christianity would help cure their ailments and bring them peace, reported PTI.

The arrested individuals have been identified as James Watson (58), a US citizen, Sainath Ganpati Sarpe (42), a resident of Vasai and Manoj Kolha (35), outside whose house the gathering reportedly took place.

Following an inquiry, the police booked the trio under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly promoting religious enmity and attempting to hurt the sentiments of a community. They have also been charged under the Foreigners Act for violations related to visa and travel restrictions, as well as under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.

Officials confirmed that Watson, the American national, is being questioned regarding his purpose of visit and whether he possessed the necessary permissions to engage in such gatherings. The other two accused are also under interrogation to determine their roles in organising and facilitating the event. All three accused remain in police custody as the Thane rural police continue their probe into the alleged conversion attempt.