The BSE Sensex falls 0.1 percent, and the 50-share NSE index .NSEI also down 0.07 percent.

Shares in Cipla Ltd (CIPL.NS) fall 1.8 percent, a day after the company's October-December net profit missed estimates.

Morgan Stanley and CLSA also downgrade their ratings on Cipla, citing lower-than-expected margins and earnings outlook.

State-run power utility NTPC Ltd's (NTPC.NS) shares fell 1.2 percent after the floor price of its share sale, scheduled later in the day, was set at 145 rupees, or a 4.5 percent discount to its Wednesday's close.

Investors continue to remain cautious ahead of the 2013/14 budget to be announced later this month, which is seen as a key test of commitments to shore up finance.