The 50-share index rose by a hefty 67 points in early trade on positive global cues and crossed the 5,700-mark but eventually lost over 17 points to settle at 5,633.85.
PSU banks, metal and auto counters suffered losses on selling pressure from investors, while realty, media, energy and PSE shares attracted good buying support.
Possibility of withdrawal of support by Samajwadi Party, a key outside ally of the UPA Government, mainly weighed on the market, a broker said.
Globally, Asian stocks, except China, closed in positive terrain on strong closing on Wall Street last Friday. European markets too were trading higher in early trade after Cyprus clinched an international bailout deal, reducing threat of its default.
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The Nifty resumed higher and moved up further to hit a peak of 5,718.40. But later it met with strong resistance and settled at 5,633.85, a fall of 17.50 points, or 0.31 per cent, from last Friday's close.
Turnover in the cash segment declined further to Rs 10,105.91 crore from Rs 10,352.08 crore last Friday. A total of 6,911.06 lakh shares changed hands in 56,01,925 trades. Market capitalisation stood at Rs 61,68,136 crore.