Sensex closes flat ahead of Karnataka election results

Indian shares ended largely unchanged on Monday, ahead of the consumer price inflation data for April later in the day, with investors awaiting election results in the key southern state of Karnataka.

Exit polls on Saturday suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could emerge as the leading party in the state, potentially boosting its chances in the general elections early next year.

Counting of votes will begin on Tuesday with the outcome expected later in the day.

The benchmark BSE Sensex closed 0.06 percent higher at 35,556.71. The broader NSE Nifty ended flat at 10,806.6.

Nifty Pharma index recovered to close 0.19 percent higher following six straight sessions of declines.