A benchmark index for Indian equities on Wednesday rose in the last hour of trade, paring intra-day losses to provisionally close 120 points higher.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 17,179.64 points, closed at 17,314.38 points (provisional), 120.83 points or 0.7 per cent up from its previous close at 17,193.55 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also picked up after a weak start and closed in the green at 5,240.9 points, up 41.65 points or 0.8 per cent from its previous close.

Broader markets also shot up with the BSE 500 index closing 0.92 per cent higher from its previous close.