The software stocks were in demand after Citigroup raised earnings estimates for the IT industry by 20 per cent to reflect changes in its currency forecasts. On the other hand, fertiliser stocks rallied after the government announced the new pricing policy for potash and phosphate.
The stocks of Reliance Industries also gained 4.1 per cent on the back of the Oil Ministry statement that the company's field in Krishna Godavari basin would pump 25 million metric standard cubic metres per day by September 2008.