Indian markets shed over 0.6 per cent at the end of the session on Tuesday on heavy selling in realty, auto and healthcare stocks amid weak European cues.
The 30-share BSE index Sensex was down 126.80 points (0.63 per cent) at 20,097.18 and the 50-share NSE index Nifty was down 45.95 points (0.75 per cent) at 6,110.95.
On the BSE, realty and auto indices fell the most with realty index down 2.53 per cent and auto 1.77 per cent, followed by power 1.16 per cent and banking 1.05 per cent.
On the other hand, IT, TECk and consumer durables indices supported the Sensex, with IT index up 0.94 per cent, followed by TECk 0.51 per cent and consumer durables 0.01 per cent.
Among 30-share Sensex, Coal India, BHEL, TCS, Infosys and Sun Pharma were the top five gainers, while the top five losers were NTPC, Tata Motors, Maruti, SBI and Tata Steel.
European stocks retreated from the highest level in almost five years as Carnival Corp. led travel companies lower after cutting its forecasts. Asian shares fell while U.S. index futures were little changed.
Market players have turned their attention to US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke's testimony to Congress on Wednesday, where he will give an update on the latest outlook of the world's largest economy.
Global markets will also closely watch his statements for an indication on whether the Fed will start winding down its bond-buying programme to boost the economy.