On Thursday, Indian benchmark indices closed higher with Sensex up 0.47% at 74,227.64 and Nifty up 0.36% at 22,514.65. Nifty Midcap rose marginally by 0.01%, while Nifty Smallcap surged by 0.45%. India VIX decreased by 1.34%, indicating reduced market volatility. About 1304 stocks were advancing as against to 806 stocks that were declining, thus indicating a positive sentiment.