Indices hit new highs, Sensex closes above 81K for first time

BSE Sensex hit 81,343.46, NSE Nifty 24,800.85, driven by large-cap IT stocks like Infosys, TCS, Wipro. Bank Nifty rose 0.4%, VIX gained 2.02%. Small and mid-caps saw profit-taking. Rajesh Palviya and Andrew Holland noted strong IT results. Infosys' Q1 results awaited. Union Budget on July 23 may further influence markets.