The market breadth was negative with 392 stocks rising compared to 1,807 declining. Fifty-seven remained unchanged.

Among other prominent gainers on the Sensex at this time were Sun Pharma, up 2.6 percent at Rs.1,150; Infosys, up 1.19 percent at Rs.1,747.10; ONGC, up 1.18 percent at Rs.998; and TCS, up 1.15 percent at Rs.399.20.

The losers included Jaiprakash Associates, down 5.07 percent at Rs.176.80; Hindalco, down 4.99 percent at Rs.69.45; Tata Power, down 4.79 percent at Rs.1,015.30; and M&M, down 4.77 percent at Rs.660.90.

In other Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average, a key index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, closed Monday's trading at 9,050.33 points, down 236.95 points.

The Hang Seng, a primary index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was ruling at 17,343.71 points, down 364.71 points.