BENGALURU, June 25 (Reuters) - Indian shares were

marginally higher at open on Tuesday, led by financial stocks,

while the small-cap index jumped due to a 15% surge in Amara

Raja Energy.

The NSE Nifty 50 index was up 0.25% at 23,600 as of

09:23 a.m. IST, and the S&P BSE Sensex increased 0.3%

to 77,554.

The domestically focussed small-cap index

jumped 1%, led by gains in Amara Raja Energy and Mobility

.

Amara Raja's shares advanced 15% after the battery maker

signed a licensing agreement with a unit of China-based Gotion

High Tech to produce lithium-ion batteries in India.

Financial stocks gained 0.4%, while metal stocks

rose 0.5% and was the top sectoral gainer.