On the auspicious occasion of Diwali 2026, the Indian stock exchanges BSE and NSE will have a special one-hour Muhurat Trading session on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Normal market trading opens at 2:20 PM and closes at 3:15 PM (CAS securities) and 3:30 PM for Non-CAS securities.
A block deal session will take place from 1:50 PM to 2:05 PM, and a Pre-Open session will take place from 2:05 PM to 2:20 PM before the normal market session begins.
The pre-open session is divided into four parts:
- Order entry, modification and cancellation for both limit and market orders: 2:05 PM to 2:10 PM.
- Order entry, modification and cancellation only for limit orders: 2:10 PM to 2:15 PM.
- Order matching and trade confirmation: 2:15 PM to 2:17 PM.
- Pre-open buffer period: 2:17 PM to 2:20 PM.
The date and time for Muhurat trading 2026 have been announced by the National Stock Exchange (NSE). It has cultural importance during Diwali (Festival of Lights) and is more ceremonial.
On Sunday, November 8, 2026, Diwali Muhurat Trading will be observed to mark the auspicious start of the Hindu fiscal year, Samvat 2083.
What is Muhurat Trading?
The term "Muhurat" means auspicious time. In Hinduism, Muhurat refers to a time when planets align favourably to ensure positive results.
Diwali Muhurat trading is a ritual followed by investors and traders in India. It is a one-hour special trading session considered auspicious on Diwali for investing in shares. The Indian stock exchanges NSE and BSE specify the date and timings of the Muhurat Trading Session every year.
People in India believe that traders who trade during Diwali Muhurat Trading have a better chance of earning wealth and gaining prosperity throughout the year.
Traders and investors start their new financial year (Samvat 2083) by purchasing fundamentally strong stocks during an astrologically favourable time period. Many traders also conduct Lakshmi Pujan, a prayer to the Hindu goddess of wealth, before placing their trades.
Diwali Muhurat Trading Timings 2026 - For Capital Market
Timing of Diwali Muhurat Trading for the capital market as follows:
| Muhurat Trading Session | Start Time (IST) | End Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Block Deal | 1:50 PM | 2:05 PM |
| Pre-Open Session | 2:05 PM | 2:20 PM |
| Normal Market Session | 2:20 PM | 3:15 PM (for CAS stocks) 3:30 PM (for Non-CAS stocks) |
| Post-Close Session | 3:50 PM | 4:00 PM |
Source: NSE
Closing Auction Session (CAS) Timings During Muhurat Trading 2026
The closing auction session timings during the Diwali Muhurat Trading Session 2026 are as follows:
- The normal market close time for CAS securities is 3:15 PM.
- The reference price calculation will take place between 3:15 PM and 3:20 PM.
- CAS order entry period runs from 3:20 PM to 3:25 PM. (System-driven random closure in the last 2 minutes)
- CAS order entry, modification and cancellation are allowed only for limit orders: 3:25 PM to 3:30 PM.
- CAS order matching and trade confirmation period: 3:30 PM to 3:35 PM.
- CAS transition period: 3:35 PM to 3:50 PM.
- Post-Close Session for Non-CAS securities: 3:50 PM to 4:00 PM.
Source: NSE
Other Market Session Timings on Muhurat Trading Day
The details of other market sessions are as follows:
| Other Session | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Block deal session | 1:50 PM | 2:05 PM |
| Special Pre-open session (for IPO and Relisted Securities) | 2:05 PM | 2:50 PM |
| Normal market timings for stocks in special pre-open session | 3:05 PM | 3:30 PM |
| Call Auction Illiquid Session | 2:25 PM | 3:10 PM |
| Trade Modification cut-off time | 2:20 PM | 4:15 PM |
Muhurat Trading Timings in 2026 for Futures and Options
The Muhurat trading timings for the futures and options segment follow a similar opening schedule to the capital market, but trading continues until 3:40 PM.
| Session | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-open order entry | 2:05 PM | 2:15 PM |
| Order matching and confirmation | 2:15 PM | 2:17 PM |
| Buffer Period | 2:17 PM | 2:20 PM |
| Regular Trading | 2:20 PM | 3:40 PM |
Source: NSE Circular
Muhurat Trading Timings in 2026 for Commodity Derivatives
The Muhurat trading timings for the Commodity Derivatives Segment are as follows:
| Sessions | Time |
|---|---|
| Normal Market Open | 2:20 PM |
| Normal Market Close | 3:30 PM |
| Cut-off time for Position Limit | 3:40 PM |
| Trade modification end time | 3:40 PM |
Source: NSE
Muhurat Trading Timings in 2026 for Corporate Bonds (T+1 Settlement)
The Muhurat trading timings for Corporate Bonds are as follows:
| Sessions | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Block Deal | 1:50 PM | 2:05 PM |
| Pre-Open Session | 2:05 PM | 2:20 PM* |
| Normal market trading | 2:20 PM | 3:30 PM |
* Pre-open session order entry ends at 2:10 PM for limit and market orders; modification and cancellation of limit orders up to 2:15 PM. Order matching takes place from 2:15 PM to 2:17 PM; buffer period: 2:17 to 2:20 PM.
Note: Trade executed on the special Sunday session carries a standard binding obligation. The settlement will be processed on the next business day, Monday, November 9, 2026.
History of Muhurat Trading
Muhurat trading dates back to ancient India, when trading communities conducted religious ceremonies on Diwali, specifically for their ledgers and account books.
The Bombay Stock Exchange conducted the first Muhurat Trading session in 1957, and the National Stock Exchange adopted it in 1992. In addition to Muhurat Trading on Diwali, stock brokers and trading businesses perform the traditional worship of their account books; this practice, called Chopda Pujan, is part of the Diwali celebration.
What Happens in Muhurat Trading?
Every year, on the auspicious day of Diwali, the NSE and BSE conduct a special one-hour trading session known as Muhurat trading.
The Muhurat Trading session is divided into the following parts:
- Block Deal Session: In this period, the two parties agree to buy and sell a security at a fixed price and must inform the stock exchange about the transaction.
- Pre-Open Session: In this phase, the stock exchange determines the equilibrium price, which is usually the opening price of stocks. This process takes place before normal trading begins.
- Normal Market Session: In this period, normal trading takes place for around one hour. During this period, traders and investors buy or sell securities.
- Call Auction Session: The call auction session is designed for trading illiquid securities. An illiquid security is one that does not frequently change hands in the market and may not have consistent trading volume.
- Closing Auction Session: The CAS is a trading mechanism to determine the closing price of stocks. In this, buy and sell orders are pooled, and the exchange calculates a single equilibrium price where the maximum number of shares can be traded, which becomes the official closing price.
Who Can Benefit From Muhurat Trading?
Here are various types of traders and investors who can benefit from Muhurat trading:
- Long-term Investors: Long-term investors can use Muhurat trading to begin investing in fundamentally strong stocks and build wealth gradually over time.
- New Investors: New investors can use Muhurat trading as an opportunity to make their first stock market investment and learn about investing.
- Intraday Traders: Intraday traders can explore short-term trading opportunities during the special session, depending on market movements, liquidity and price volatility.
- Swing Traders: Swing traders can identify potential trading opportunities based on technical indicators and price trends, aiming to benefit from short-term to medium-term movements.
Things to Keep in Mind During Muhurat Trading
Here are a few important things to keep in mind while participating in the Muhurat trading session.
- You get only one hour for normal trading. Volume can be low, and prices may swing wildly.
- Every trade creates settlement obligations similar to a regular trading day. So, do your own research and make informed decisions.
- Institutional participation may be low because it requires high liquidity to execute trades.
- In option trading, premium decay continues for OTM strikes because time has its own value.
- Closing Auction Session timings must be kept in mind while trading CAS securities.
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