The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty started lower on Friday with the Sensex down 206.18 points to 76,604.72 and the Nifty dropping 61.5 points to 23,337.40. Major laggards included Tech Mahindra, JSW Steel, and HCL Technologies, while Titan and Asian Paints saw gains. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold off equities worth Rs 3,033 crore, impacting market sentiment. Global markets showed mixed trends, and Brent crude fell to USD 82.41 per barrel. The Indian market is expected to remain range-bound awaiting budget announcements and signals from the US Federal Reserve.