The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) have announced the schedule for Muhurat Trading 2026, setting the special Diwali stock market session for Sunday, November 8. Continuous trading in the equity segment will take place from 2:20 pm to 3:30 pm IST, giving investors a 70-minute window to trade during Diwali Laxmi Pujan. The exchanges issued their schedules on October 19, confirming the afternoon timing for this year’s traditional session.
The special session will include separate arrangements for block deals, pre-open orders, initial public offerings (IPOs), relisted securities and certain stocks covered by the closing auction. Although Muhurat Trading is traditionally associated with auspicious beginnings and financial prosperity, it remains a real trading session in which prices can rise or fall. The exchanges have also clarified that trades executed during the session will create settlement obligations, meaning investors must treat their orders as actual market transactions rather than symbolic gestures.
Key Takeaways
- Trading date: Sunday, November 8, 2026, coinciding with Diwali Laxmi Pujan.
- Main session: 2:20 pm to 3:30 pm IST.
- Session duration: 70 minutes of continuous equity trading.
- Block deals: Scheduled from 1:50 pm to 2:05 pm.
- Pre-open session: Runs from 2:05 pm to 2:20 pm, with different order-entry and matching phases.
- Special arrangements: IPOs, relisted shares, illiquid securities and closing-auction securities have separate procedures.
- Settlement: Trades executed during Muhurat Trading create settlement obligations.
Muhurat Trading 2026: Important Timings
Muhurat Trading is a special market session conducted around Diwali. The 2026 schedule places the main continuous trading window in the afternoon rather than the conventional evening period historically associated with the event.
The exchanges have published separate timings for different market functions. Investors should distinguish the main trading window from the earlier order-entry sessions and the later processing periods.
| Market activity | Scheduled timing |
|---|---|
| Block deal window | 1:50 pm–2:05 pm |
| Pre-open session | 2:05 pm–2:20 pm |
| Main continuous trading | 2:20 pm–3:30 pm |
| Trade modification deadline | Up to 4:15 pm, as specified by the exchange |
| Additional closing and post-close procedures | Vary by exchange and security category |
All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST). Specific procedures differ across BSE and NSE and by security category.
The main session is shorter than a regular trading day, so investors should plan their orders in advance. They should also check their broker’s notices for any operational restrictions or changes relevant to their account.
How the Pre-Open Session Will Work
The pre-open session helps the market process orders before continuous trading begins. It is not identical to the main trading window, and different order types may be permitted during different phases.
According to the published schedule, the regular pre-open period begins at 2:05 pm. Investors can place, modify or cancel market and limit orders during the initial order-entry phase, which runs until 2:10 pm. From 2:10 pm to 2:15 pm, only limit orders are permitted. Order matching and trade confirmation take place between 2:15 pm and 2:17 pm, followed by a buffer period before continuous trading starts at 2:20 pm.
The block deal window is scheduled separately from 1:50 pm to 2:05 pm. Block deals are large transactions executed under exchange rules, with eligibility and order requirements that differ from ordinary retail orders.
Investors who do not regularly trade during special sessions should consult their broker’s instructions before placing orders. The shorter schedule can leave less time to correct mistakes or respond to changing prices.
Special Timings for IPOs and Relisted Shares
The exchanges have also specified different arrangements for IPOs and relisted securities. These securities can require special opening procedures because their trading status or price discovery differs from that of stocks already trading continuously.
The special pre-open session for IPOs and relisted securities is scheduled from 2:05 pm to 2:50 pm, with random closure during the final 10 minutes. Continuous trading in these securities will begin at 3:05 pm and continue until 3:30 pm.
The extended pre-open arrangement means that not every security will follow the same trading sequence as shares already listed and trading normally. Investors should verify whether a particular stock falls under the special category before assuming it will be available throughout the main session.
The exchanges have also provided arrangements for illiquid securities, which are handled through a call auction process. In such cases, orders are collected and matched under the applicable auction rules rather than being traded continuously in the same way as actively traded shares.
Closing Auction and Post-Close Procedures
Some securities are eligible for a closing auction session (CAS), which uses a designated process to determine the closing price. Their schedule differs from that of securities that finish continuous trading at 3:30 pm.
For securities covered by the closing auction, the regular market closes at 3:15 pm. A transition and reference-price calculation period follows until 3:20 pm. At BSE, the reference price is based on the volume-weighted average price of trades executed between 3:00 pm and 3:15 pm.
Closing-auction order entry runs from 3:20 pm to 3:30 pm.
Editorial note, 19 October 2026: An incomplete final sentence was removed. No missing text has been reconstructed.
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