India's BSE Sensex closed about 0.2% up at 82,000.7 on Thursday, advancing for the sixth straight session, mainly boosted by heavyweight financials and Reliance Industries. Optimism over GST reforms and robust PMI data underpinned sentiment, though gains were capped by caution ahead of the Jackson Hole symposium and uncertainty surrounding potential US tariffs on Indian goods and Russia-Ukraine peace talks. On the data front, preliminary figures showed India’s private sector in August grew at its fastest pace since survey records began in December 2005, driven by accelerating manufacturing activity and a record expansion in services. Bajaj Finserv led the gains among equities, rising more than 1%, after Jefferies initiated coverage with a ‘buy’ rating and a target price of INR 2,420. ICICI Bank and Bajaj Finance followed higher alongside insurers on expectations of GST relief on insurance premiums.