9:40 a.m. Banking stocks are on fire today. Bank Nifty surges 7.8 per cent to 15,347. Former SBI chief Pratip Chaudhuri says the expectation is interest rates will come down and banks to see gains on their mark-to-market portfolio. Besides, a rebound in economy will have a positive effect on NPAs, he added.

9:35 a.m. Sensex hits 25,000, up nearly 1100 points, as leads show NDA set to form government

9:25 a.m. Market update: Banking stocks lead gains. Bank Nifty surges nearly 7 per cent. PNB, ICICI Bank, SBI, Kotak Mahindra Bank and IndusInd Bank each up over 7 per cent. ICICI Bank is up 6.7 per cent. (Track banking stocks)

9:19 a.m. Sensex surges as much as 1051 Points to touch 24,956.60 as BJP and allies are set to form government. (Track markets)

9:16 a.m. Sensex Up Over 1000 Points as Leads Shows NDA Set to Form Government

9:10 a.m. If NDA crosses 272, markets may hit upper circuit, says Manish Sonthalia.

9:00 a.m. Rupee opens 0.5 per cent higher at 58.98 per dollar, highest level since July 26, 2013. It closed at 59.29 yesterday.

8:50 a.m. Sensex set for record start. SGX Nifty extends lead to over 2.5 per cent, up 183 points to 7,323.50 

8:40 a.m. Manish Sonthalia of Motilal Oswal to NDTV: If NDA bags 260+, markets would be euphoric, 240+ status quo for markets and less than 220 disappointing (Check the latest poll results)

8:30 a.m. Analysts say circuit filters are unlikely to be hit if the NDA wins big as markets have run up sharply prior to the counting day. What if the NDA tally disappoints the market? Let’s brush up what circuit filters are and what are the triggers. (See here)

8:20 a.m. Markets set for a strong start and SGX Nifty now has shot up like a rocket after early leads trickled in. From being down 30 points, it is now up  over 50 points to 7,199.5. Early leads point to a good start for the BJP.  (Track markets)

8:12 a.m. BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty are set for a wild ride today. At least, this has happened in the previous two Lok Sabha poll outcome days in 2004 and 2009. Counting of votes for elections has started but clear trends from 989 counting centres across the country could start emerging only by 11 a.m. By noon, it will be known if the BJP, which has emerged as the frontrunner in polls, will get enough seats to form a government or not. (Track markets)

Analysts paint four possible scenarios for the market today based on the seats bagged by the market favourite NDA. (What Are They?)