Muhurat Trading 2026: NSE, BSE Announce Diwali Special Session Timings For November 8; Check Full Schedule

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will open a special trading window on Sunday, November 8, for the annual Muhurat trading session, allowing investors to participate in the stock market on Diwali despite the holiday for regular trading. The main trading session will run from 2:20 pm to 3:30 pm, preceded by a 15-minute pre-open session.

The exchanges have released separate circulars detailing the schedule and operational timings for the special session. Trading will be available across several segments, including the equity market, commodity derivatives, currency derivatives, equity futures and options, and securities lending and borrowing.

The session will mark the beginning of Samvat 2083, the new year in the traditional Hindu calendar. Muhurat trading is an annual market tradition during Diwali, when many investors make symbolic purchases to mark an auspicious start to the new Samvat year.

Muhurat Trading 2026: NSE, BSE Full Timings

The exchanges have laid out a series of trading windows ahead of and after the main session to help brokers and market participants prepare for the shortened trading day.

Trading members can log in between 1:15 pm and 1:50 pm, while the block deal window will remain open from 1:50 pm to 2:05 pm. The pre-open session will follow from 2:05 pm to 2:20 pm, before continuous trading begins at 2:20 pm.

The main Muhurat trading window will close at 3:30 pm. Other market activities, including the periodic call auction, closing auction and post-closing session, will operate according to the exchanges' prescribed timetable.

The complete schedule provided for the special session is as follows:

Trading member login 1:15 pm to 1:50 pm
Block deal window 1:50 pm to 2:05 pm
Pre-open session 2:05 pm to 2:20 pm
Continuous trading 2:20 pm to 3:30 pm
Periodic call auction 2:25 pm to 3:20 pm
Closing auction 3:15 pm to 3:35 pm
Non-CAS closing session 3:30 pm to 3:50 pm
Post-closing session 3:50 pm to 4:00 pm

The timetable includes overlapping windows for certain market activities, which will follow the applicable exchange rules. Investors and trading members should refer to the relevant NSE and BSE circulars for segment-specific instructions and any applicable conditions.

Which Market Segments Will Be Open During Muhurat Trading?

The special session will cover multiple market segments, allowing participants to trade beyond the cash equity market. These include equities, commodity derivatives, currency derivatives, equity futures and options, and securities lending and borrowing.

However, the availability of individual instruments and activities may depend on the segment-specific schedule and exchange rules. Traders should check with their brokers before placing orders, particularly if they intend to trade in derivatives or other specialised market segments.

Since the session is shorter than a regular trading day, investors should also be mindful of order timings, liquidity and the possibility of price movements within a limited window.

What Is Muhurat Trading And Why Is It Important?

Muhurat trading is a special stock market session organised around Diwali, which is considered an auspicious occasion by many members of the Indian business community. The practice has become a long-standing tradition among investors, brokers and traders.

Many retail investors use the occasion to purchase a small number of shares as a symbolic gesture for prosperity and financial growth in the coming year. Such purchases are often intended to mark the beginning of the new Samvat rather than reflect a change in investment strategy.