After gaining 269 points at the outset, the Sensex closed up 183.24 points, or 0.99 per cent, at 18,762.74, a level last seen on July 25. The 30-share barometer has gained 8.2 per cent this month.
The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty climbed to psychological 5,700 level by adding 53.80 points, to end at 5,703.30. It touched the day's high of 5,735.15.
A firming global trend and the rupee rising to five-month high against the dollar helped the market commence the new settlement in the derivatives segment on a promising note.
Brokers said the sentiment bolstered on sustained foreign funds inflow amid expectation that the government