On the other hand, Yes Bank, NTPC and Axis Bank emerged as major gainers, rising up to 2.71 per cent. Auto and IT counters mainly came under a heavy selling pressure due to profit-booking as stocks of both sectors had risen in the previous session on hopes of RBI rate cut and rupee's sustained rise.
The broader mood of the markets remained dampened with a report that the pre-monsoon rainfall in the country was the second lowest in 65 years. The three-month pre-monsoon season March, April and May ended with a rainfall deficiency of 25 per cent.
Analysts said that investors booked profits at higher levels after markets soared to record highs on Monday amid expectations of an interest rate cut by the RBI on Thursday, especially after a disappointing GDP print for the March quarter.
“Markets opened marginally lower, but fell later in the afternoon trade as investors and traders awaited RBI's monetary policy decision amid weak cues from global markets,” Narendra Solanki, Head Fundamental Research (Investment Services) - AVP Equity Research, Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers told news agency PTI.
The Indian rupee was marginally lower at 69.28 against the US dollar. Meanwhile, other Asian bourses ended on a negative note, while Europe was trading in the green in opening deals. Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, fell 1.53 per cent to 60.34 per barrel.