Nickel futures for February rose by Rs 4.80, or 0.50%, to Rs 972.90 per kg in 518 lots.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, the January contract traded higher by Rs 4.60, or 0.48 per cent, to Rs 966.90 per kg in 6,439 lots.
Speculators enlarging their positions, pick-up in domestic demand supported trade.
Besides, a firming trend in copper and other base metals overseas after data showed China's imports and exports in December exceeded estimates influenced nickel futures here.
