India’s two major stock exchanges, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), will conduct a special Muhurat trading session on Sunday, November 8, 2026, to mark Diwali Laxmi Pujan and the beginning of Samvat 2083. Although Sunday is normally a market holiday, investors will get a special opportunity to trade equities and participate in other notified market segments during a limited session.
The exchanges have scheduled the main continuous trading window from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST, preceded by a 15-minute pre-open session from 2:05 PM to 2:20 PM. The annual tradition is considered an auspicious occasion for investors to begin the new Hindu financial year with symbolic purchases and investments. However, trades executed during the session are real market transactions and carry normal investment risks.
Muhurat Trading 2026: Date and Timings
The special session will take place on November 8, coinciding with Diwali Laxmi Pujan. Both NSE and BSE have announced the session through exchange circulars.
The main trading window will last 70 minutes, while additional sessions will cover activities such as block deals, pre-opening orders and closing procedures.
| Trading activity | Timing on November 8 |
|---|---|
| Trading-member login | 1:15 PM – 1:50 PM |
| Block deal window | 1:50 PM – 2:05 PM |
| Pre-open session | 2:05 PM – 2:20 PM |
| Continuous trading | 2:20 PM – 3:30 PM |
| Closing auction activities | 3:15 PM – 3:35 PM |
| Closing session for non-CAS securities | 3:30 PM – 3:50 PM |
| Post-closing session | 3:50 PM – 4:00 PM |
The schedule includes a separate closing auction process for eligible securities. Investors should check their broker’s notifications and the relevant exchange circulars for segment-specific timings and order restrictions.
Why Do NSE and BSE Conduct Muhurat Trading?
Muhurat trading is a special stock market session organised around Diwali. The word “Muhurat” refers to an auspicious time, and the session is associated with the Hindu tradition of beginning financial activities during an auspicious period.
For generations, traders and business communities have considered Diwali an important occasion to begin a new financial year. In the stock market, this tradition has evolved into a dedicated trading session.
The session also marks the beginning of Samvat 2083, the new year in the Hindu calendar used by many market participants.
Investors traditionally make symbolic purchases during this period, sometimes buying small quantities of shares as a gesture associated with prosperity and financial growth.
However, the session is not merely ceremonial. Orders placed during Muhurat trading are executed on the exchanges, creating actual settlement obligations for investors.
Which Market Segments Will Be Open?
The special trading arrangements extend beyond the regular equity cash market. Exchange notices cover multiple segments, including:
- Equity trading
- Equity futures and options
- Currency derivatives
- Commodity derivatives
- Securities lending and borrowing (SLB)
The exact operating arrangements can differ by exchange and market segment. Investors participating in derivatives or commodity markets should verify the relevant exchange circulars before placing orders.
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