However, other base metals held steady in thin trade.
Traders attributed the fall in nickel to reduced offtake by consuming industries and a weak trend in base metals at the London Metal Exchange before the manufacturing data from China, the world's biggest metals consumer.
In the national capital, nickel (4x4) declined by Rs 2 Rs 1,053-1,058 per kg.
Following are today's metal rates (in Rs per kg)
Zinc ingot Rs 118-124, Nickel plate (4x4) Rs 1,053-1,058, Gun metal scrap Rs 227, Bell metal scrap Rs 229, Copper mixed scrap Rs 402, Chadri deshi Rs 285.