At close, the Sensex was up 616.62 points or 1.16% at 53,750.97, and the Nifty was up 178.90 points or 1.13% at 15,989.80, aided by a dramatic fall in oil prices and strength in global peers. Asian Paints was the top Sensex gainer, followed by Bajaj Finance, and IndusInd Bank. Tata Steel was the top laggard, accompanied by Power Grid, and NTPC. About 1779 shares have advanced, 1436 shares declined, and 131 are unchanged. From sectors, the Nifty metals index closed flat amid a continuous slide in metal prices. The oil & gas pocket was the sole loser, ending 0.17 percent down. On the other hand, Nifty Auto, FMCG, Realty, and Consumer Durables led the most gains, gaining 2-2.6 percent each. Bank nifty index was above the 34,000 mark while India VIX was in the red but still above 20 levels. The BSE midcap index rose 1.7 percent, and smallcap index added 0.94 percent.