Market Alert: Indian Tech Sector Selloff The Indian equity benchmarks faced a sharp downturn on Friday, February 13, 2026, as a massive rout in technology stocks triggered a broad-based market correction. The **Sensex tumbled 834.20 points** to trade at **82,840.72**, while the **Nifty 50 slipped 270.90 points**, falling to **25,536.30** during early sessions. Market volatility surged as the India VIX gained **4%**, reflecting heightened investor anxiety. The primary catalyst for the slump is a "qualitative risk" repricing within the IT sector, driven by fears that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are making traditional labor-intensive outsourcing models obsolete. IT Index Crumbles Under AI Pressure The **Nifty IT index crashed 5.51%**, marking one of its steepest single-day declines in recent months. The index has now plummeted approximately **12.7%** over the last 30 days. Investor sentiment was further dampened by a weak lead from Wall Street, where the Nasdaq closed **2% lower** overnight due to AI valuation concerns. The selloff resulted in a significant erosion of household wealth, with the BSE market capitalization dropping by approximately **₹2.5 lakh crore**. Total market capitalization now stands at **₹474.5 lakh crore**. Performance of Key Tech Heavyweights Sector leaders experienced substantial losses, with several blue-chip stocks hitting multi-month lows. * **Infosys:** Fell **5.6%** to **₹1,398** * **TCS:** Dropped **5.2%** to **₹2,758**, falling below the **₹10-lakh-crore** market cap milestone * **Tech Mahindra:** Declined **4.3%** to **₹1,563** * **Wipro:** Shed **4.5%** to trade at **₹219.49** * **Coforge:** Emerging as a top laggard with a **6.8%** plunge Global and Domestic Headwinds Beyond technology-specific fears, broader economic indicators are weighing on Dalal Street. Stronger-than-expected **U.S. jobs data** has revived concerns that interest rates will remain "higher for longer," which typically compresses valuations for growth-oriented tech firms. Additionally, a recent **NITI Aayog roadmap** warned that the current $265 billion IT sector must shift from headcount-based revenue to platform-driven models to survive. This structural shift is causing "valuation repricing" as investors move capital toward performing sectors like Banking and FMCG. Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) remain cautious, though they were marginal net buyers of **₹108 crore** in the previous session. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided some support with purchases of **₹276 crore**, but this was insufficient to stem the tide of the tech-led retreat.