Sensex Index

The Sensex, also known as S&P BSE Sensex, is India's primary stock market index and the oldest in Asia. Established in 1986 by the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex tracks the performance of India's 30 largest and most actively traded companies across sectors including IT services, banking, petrochemicals, automobiles, and consumer goods. The index is widely recognized as the barometer of India's economic health and investor sentiment. Sensex companies represent approximately 45% of BSE's market capitalization and include industry leaders like Tata Consultancy Services, Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, Infosys, and ITC. The index is calculated using free-float market capitalization methodology, giving greater weight to companies with larger market values. The index base was set at 100 in April 1979, and the base value was changed to 1000 in 1986-87 when the new index was launched. The Sensex has grown from 1000 in 1986 to over 60,000 in 2026, reflecting India's economic growth and stock market development. The index serves as a benchmark for Indian equity market performance and is widely followed by domestic and international investors. Daily Sensex movements influence investment decisions and market sentiment. The Sensex's growth trajectory reflects India's emergence as a major global economy and the increasing participation of retail and institutional investors in India's capital markets.