The 30-share BSE Sensex surged 879.09 points, or 1.23 per cent, to settle at 72,472.33. The 50-share NSE Nifty soared 288.65 points, or 1.30 per cent, to end at 22,520.45

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 96.74, then gained some ground to touch 96.65, registering a rise of 23 paise over its previous close. On Thursday, the rupee depreciated by 13 paise to close at 96.88 against the US dollar