Benchmark indices extended their gains from the opening tick, with the Nifty firmly placed above 9500.

The Sensex was up 131.00 points at 30881.03, while the Nifty rose 30.30 points at 9540.05. The market breadth was healthy as 1,496 shares have advanced against a decline of 506 shares, while 84 shares were unchanged.

Midcaps witnessed a surge post flat opening, with the Nifty midcap index gaining over a percent in the first hour of trade. Metals too saw a comeback post its corrective phase, rising over 2 percent.

Tata Steel and Asian Paints were the top gainers on both indices, while Cipla, TCS and IOC lost the most.