Twenty-seven of its components rose, while in the broader market gainers led losers 1.5:1 on heavy volume of 393.3 million shares.

Top lender State Bank of India rose 7.9 per cent to 1,295.85 rupees, ICICI Bank gained 9.2 per cent to 471.35 rupees and HDFC Bank added 5.8 per cent to 1,060.35 rupees. The sector index closed 7.1 per cent higher.

Satyam Computer rose 7.2 per cent to 169.35 rupees after the outsourcer said its board would consider a share buyback on Dec. 29, a move that analysts said was to placate angry investors.

The stock had slumped nearly a third on Wednesday after the company, India's No. 4 software services exporter, had shocked investors with a proposal to buy two firms management had a stake in. It bowed to investor outrage and cancelled the plans just 12 hours after the deals were announced.

Shares in other software exporters rose, with investors rejigging their allocations in the beaten down sector. Tata Consultancy Services rose 6.9 per cent to 510.15 rupees, Infosys Technologies firmed 3.3 per cent to 1,177.55 rupees and Wipro added 2.7 per cent at 249.65 rupees.

Metal shares were mostly weak on overseas cues, as Shanghai copper futures slid to five-year lows and Korea's POSCO, the world's No. 4 steelmaker, announced plans to cut production temporarily by 10 per cent on tumbling demand.

Hindalco Industries ended flat at 54.30 rupees, while non-ferrous metals producer Sterlite closed 0.1 per cent down at 270.90 rupees. However, Tata Steel rose 1.5 per cent to 222.10 rupees.

... contd.