The benchmark index of the Indian equities market closed higher on Thursday, with the 30-scrip sensitive index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, or Sensex, closing at 18,875.95 points, 323.83 points or 1.75 percent up from the previous close of 18,552.12 points. The Sensex had a turnover of 4.96 billion rupees (about 82.63 million U.S. dollars).