* The BSE index
gains 0.44 percent, while the 50-shareNSE indexis up 0.43 percent.* Banks gain led by private sector lenders on expectations theirJuly-September earnings will prove more resilient than theirpublic sector counterparts.* ICICI Bank
gains 1.2 percent, while HDFC Bank
is up 0.9 percent.* Pharmaceutical stocks such as Cipla
gain onexpectations of favourable stance in drug pricing case thatcomes up for hearing in India's Supreme court later in the day.* Cipla gains 1.5 percent while Lupin
is up 1.6percent.