A benchmark index for Indian equities Friday made a steady start and was ruling 78 points higher than its previous close, about half an hour into trade.

The market breadth too looked positive with buying interest visible across mid-to-small sized scrips.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,558.85 points, was ruling at 17,637.74 points, 78.89 points or 0.45 percent higher than its previous close.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,281.05 points, a gain of 0.39 percent or 20.65 points from its previous close.

Broader markets were in the green as well, with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.86 percent higher, and the BSE small cap index ruling 0.85 percent higher.