BENGALURU: Indian shares closed higher on Thursday, led by gains in information technology and energy stocks on improved investor sentiment after a study showed risk from Omicron was lower compared with the Delta coronavirus variant.

The NSE Nifty 50 index ended 0.69% higher at 17,072.60 and the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex gained 0.68% to 57,315.28.

Two vaccine manufacturers said their shots offered protection against Omicron, as UK data suggested it may cause proportionally fewer hospitalisations than the Delta coronavirus variant, supporting conclusions reached in South Africa.

Indian markets hit a near four-month low and tumbled as much as 3% on Monday on fears over a surge in Omicron cases across the globe and associated lockdowns.

Global markets, including India, have staged a recovery in the past three sessions with investors buying the dip. Indian stocks, however, are still nearly 8% off from their October peak. The Nifty IT index rose 1%, while the energy index gained 1.3%.