A benchmark index for Indian equities markets closed 74 points higher on Monday, the first trading day of 2012-13, on the back of good buying support in real estate, power and banking stocks. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the positive at 17,429.96 points, closed at 17,478.15 points, up 0.42 percent or 73.95 points from its previous close at 17,404.20 points. The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange ended 0.42 per cent higher at 5,317.90 points.