Mumbai, Aug. 19 -- The domestic equity indices traded with minor gains in early trade, supported by optimism over potential GST reforms and encouraging developments in the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.

The Nifty traded above the 24,900 level. Media, oil & gas and IT shares advanced while realty, pharma and auto shares declined.

At 09:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, added 196.04 points or 0.24% to 81,480.42. The Nifty 50 index rose 40.90 points or 0.16% to 24,913.95.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index shed 0.02% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.31%.

The market breadth was positive. On the BSE, 1,888 shares rose and 1,126 shares fell. A total of 160 shares were unchanged.

Foreign portfolio inve...