On Thursday, benchmark equity indices in India ended with slight gains as investors geared up for the earnings announcement from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country's largest IT services firm. Additionally, inflation data from the US, set to be released after market hours, remained a focal point for traders.

The Nifty index closed up by 0.07%, gaining 16.50 points to finish at 24,998.45, while the Sensex increased by 0.18%, adding 144.3 points to close at 81,611.4. Despite opening on a strong note, both indices struggled to maintain momentum throughout the day, with market analysts indicating a range-bound trading session.

"Indian equities commenced the weekly expiry day on a firm note, compounding morning gains but ultimately remained rangebound for the rest of the session," noted Aditya Gaggar, director of Progressive Shares. He emphasized that clear support and resistance levels are established at 24,900 and 25,200, suggesting that a breakout on either side could provide more clarity on market direction.

HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Maruti Suzuki were among the top contributors to the day's gains. Conversely, shares of Infosys, Trent, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Cipla, and Tech Mahindra limited the upside.

Sectoral performance was mixed, with most indices closing lower. The Nifty Pharma index recorded the steepest decline, while the Nifty Bank index emerged as the top gainer. Market breadth favored buyers, with approximately 2,266 stocks advancing against 1,649 decliners, while 131 stocks remained unchanged on the BSE.

In the broader market, the BSE Midcap index fell by 0.36%, while the BSE Smallcap index rose by 0.43%. Among the sectors, 12 ended higher, while eight experienced declines, with the BSE Bankex leading gains and the BSE Healthcare index facing the most significant losses.