Equity benchmarks remained strong but came off early highs. Investors await the outcome of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections due on December 18, though Exit Polls announced on Thursday indicated BJP win in both states.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was up 278.07 points at 33,524.77 and the 50-share NSE Nifty rose 91.30 points to 10,343.40.

About 1,666 shares advanced against 616 declining shares on the BSE.

Adani Group stocks continued to see buying interest in afternoon, possibly after Gujarat assembly exit polls.

Adani Ports, Adani Enterprises, Adani Transmission and Adani Power rallied 2-3 percent.

HDFC Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki hit fresh record highs today, rising 2.6 percent, 2.1 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.