Indian stock market rings in New Year with gains, Nifty up

The Indian stock markets welcomed 2026 with a positive opening on Thursday as overall sentiment remained cautiously constructive, supported by improving domestic technicals, despite mixed global cues and the absence of major domestic triggers.

While Nifty opened 0.17 per cent higher at 26,173.30, Sensex opened 0.04 per cent up at 85,255.55.

Among sectors, FMCG index was down 1 per cent, while telecom index was up 1 per cent in the early trade. On NSE, 10 out of 15 sectors were in the green. Nifty Media and Nifty Auto lead the advance, while Nifty FMCG and Nifty Pharma traded in red.

BSE midcap and smallcap indices were trading almost flat in the morning trade.

According to analysts, market participants are likely to closely monitor global equity trends, crude oil price movements, and institutional fund flows for incremental directional cues during the session.

On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling streak for the fifth consecutive session on December 31, offloading equities worth Rs 3,597 crore.

In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) provided strong support by purchasing equities worth Rs 6,759 crore on the same day, more than offsetting FII outflows and lending stability to the market, said analysts.

Amid ongoing volatility and global uncertainty, traders are advised to remain selective and disciplined. Buying quality stocks on declines with tight risk controls is recommended, while fresh long positions should be initiated only after a confirmed and sustained breakout above the 26,300 level, they mentioned.

The Indian rupee opened 1 paise weaker at 89.88 against US dollar. It closed at 89.87 on Wednesday.

Also, the Indian stock exchanges have also published the official trading holiday calendar for 2026, offering early clarity to investors and traders on non-trading days across cash, derivatives and currency segments.

Meanwhile, major international markets across China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, the UAE, the UK and the US will remain shut on New Year’s Day. Additionally, stock exchanges in China and Japan will observe an extended New Year break, staying closed on Friday as well.

Meanwhile, in December 2025, Chairman of the diversified infrastructure major Adani Group, Gautam Adani, stood in the vast expanse of the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. The landscape was stark. The intent was clear. This was the site of one of India’s most ambitious renewable energy projects. The visit was not symbolic − it reinforced a strategy centred on scale, speed and execution.

India’s energy challenge is intensifying. The country is home to the world’s second largest population. Its economy is expanding rapidly. Power demand is rising in step. Peak electricity demand grew from around 250 gigawatts (GW) in the financial year (FY) 2025 and is projected to reach nearly 388 GW by FY 2032.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s energy consumption will grow 1.5 times faster than the global average over the next 30 years. Power demand is expected to rise by 25 to 35 per cent by 2030. Meeting this demand while decarbonising the grid will require renewables to scale quickly and reliably.

Private sector participation has been critical in this shift. Government policy and clearances created the framework. Execution came from private enterprise. Efficiency, capital, technical expertise and project management have driven the pace of renewable deployment. Large developers have translated policy ambition into operating capacity.

The Great Rann of Kutch reflects this model. The site visited by Gautam Adani is slated to host a renewable energy park with the potential to generate around 20 GW of wind and solar power. In an energy hungry economy, capacity at this scale is transformative. Industry experts increasingly see large contiguous parks as the most efficient path to decarbonisation. Tariffs remain competitive. Vast arid land, strong wind corridors and high solar irradiance make projects like these commercially viable at global benchmarks.

This ambition is backed by capital. The Adani Group has pledged investments of up to $75 billion over five years to accelerate India’s clean energy transition. At a time when global capital is becoming more selective, such long horizon commitments signal confidence. Not only in renewables. But in India’s demand growth and policy stability.

The timing is significant. In 2025, India recorded its highest ever annual renewable capacity addition. By November, more than 44 GW had been added. That is nearly double the pace of the previous year. Solar and wind dominated new installations. Total installed renewable capacity rose close to 254 GW. For policymakers and industry alike, the message is clear. Renewables are no longer peripheral. They are central to India’s power system.

The Adani Group’s strategy aligns closely with this national trajectory. Speaking at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad on December 9, Adani noted that India has crossed the milestone of sourcing more than 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels. This was achieved five years ahead of the 2030 Paris Agreement timeline. With per capita emissions among the lowest globally, the challenge for India is not growth itself. It is clean and reliable.

Agencies