Cairn India consolidated its gains on the NSE ahead of the close on Tuesday. At 2.50 p.m. it was trading at Rs 330.45, up 1.99 per cent on its previous close of Rs 324.

Cipla, the top gainer on the BSE, made rapid gains on the NSE as well to trade at Rs 409.30 as against Rs 402.25 at close yesterday. This represented a gain of 1.75 per cent.

In fact pharma stocks held sway on the NSE in late trading. Dr Reddy's moved up to trade at Rs 2,648.40 as against Rs 2,626.55 at close yesterday, a gain of 0.83 per cent.

Lupin was quoting at Rs 927.20 as against Rs 919 at close yesterday. This was a gain of 0.79 per cent.

Banking stock IndusInd Bank also traded up 0.80 per cent to quote at Rs 416.40 as against Rs 413.10 at close yesterday.