NSE and BSE to Conduct Diwali Muhurat Trading Session on Nov 8

On November 8, 2026, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will host their annual Muhurat trading session in celebration of Diwali. This special event offers investors a unique chance to engage in market transactions during a limited window, despite the regular market closure on the festival day.

The Muhurat trading session is scheduled from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM, with a pre-opening session beginning earlier at 2:05 PM and continuing until 2:20 PM. These timings differ significantly from regular market hours, which usually run from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. The exchanges have released comprehensive circulars outlining the session's timings and procedures for traders and market participants.

This traditional session is more than a routine trading period; it marks the onset of the new year according to the Hindu calendar. Many market participants consider trading during the Muhurat period auspicious, associating it with blessings of prosperity and financial growth for the year ahead.

Trading activity during Muhurat will encompass multiple segments including equity shares, commodity derivatives, currency derivatives, equity futures and options, as well as securities lending and borrowing (SLB). This ensures broad market participation and mirrors the diversity seen during regular trading days.

In preparation for the session, trading members will be able to log in between 1:15 PM and 1:50 PM. Following this, a block deal window will open from 1:50 PM to 2:05 PM, allowing for large volume trades to be executed discreetly. The pre-opening session then commences at 2:05 PM, setting the stage for the continuous trading period.

Continuous trading, the core of the Muhurat session, will take place from 2:20 PM until 3:30 PM. Within this timeframe, a periodic call auction session is also planned between 2:25 PM and 3:20 PM. These mechanisms help determine price discovery and ensure orderly trading.

Closing auction activities are scheduled from 3:15 PM to 3:35 PM, followed by the closing session specific to non-CAS (Call Auction Session) securities from 3:30 PM to 3:50 PM. Meanwhile, the closing buffer period for CAS securities will run from 3:35 PM to 3:50 PM. The entire trading day concludes with a post-closing session from 3:50 PM to 4 PM, which finalizes all transactions and prepares the market for the next trading day.

Diwali Muhurat trading is a longstanding tradition in Indian capital markets. It provides an opportunity for investors to symbolically begin the new financial year with optimism. The session also serves as a reminder of the cultural significance embedded within the financial sector in India, blending market activity with festive spirit.

While regular trading is paused on Diwali, this special session enables market participants to maintain engagement and potentially capitalize on fresh momentum at the start of the new year. The NSE and BSE’s transparent communication of session details ensures smooth functioning and clear expectations for traders.

Investors and traders interested in participating should refer to the official circulars issued by the exchanges for complete procedural guidelines. Observing the Muhurat trading session has become a respected custom, reflecting the integration of tradition and modern financial practices in India’s stock markets.