The broader NSE Nifty too closed at its lifetime high of 9,265.15, up 27.30 points or 0.30 per cent.
A cautious strategy adopted by investors ahead of RBI's monetary policy announcement tomorrow dragged down the Sensex from the 30,000-mark.
The BSE 30-share index hit a high of 30,007.48 in intra-day trade, but slipped to 29,817.69 before settling at 29,974.24, up 64.02 points or 0.21 per cent.