The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced the schedule for Muhurat Trading 2026, with a special live trading session scheduled for Sunday, November 8, on the occasion of Diwali. The exchange has issued separate circulars for the equity cash market, futures and options (F&O), and commodity derivatives segments, detailing trading hours and operational procedures.
Muhurat Trading is a traditional Diwali market session that many investors consider an auspicious time to begin investments. This year, the NSE has outlined timings for the regular trading window as well as additional sessions for block deals, IPO and relisted securities, and illiquid stocks.
Equity Market Muhurat Trading Timings
The NSE’s equity market session will begin with pre-open activities at 2:05 PM, followed by continuous trading from 2:20 PM. The exchange has also specified separate closing procedures for securities covered by the Closing Auction Session (CAS) and those outside it.
Main Equity Market Sessions
| Trading activity | Timings |
|---|---|
| Pre-open order entry: limit and market orders | 2:05 PM–2:10 PM |
| Restricted pre-open order entry: limit orders only | 2:10 PM–2:15 PM |
| Order matching and trade confirmation | 2:15 PM–2:17 PM |
| Buffer period | 2:17 PM–2:20 PM |
| Continuous trading begins | 2:20 PM |
| Normal market closes for CAS securities | 3:15 PM |
| Reference price calculation and CAS transition | 3:15 PM–3:20 PM |
| Closing auction order entry | 3:20 PM–3:30 PM |
| Closing auction matching and confirmation | 3:30 PM–3:35 PM |
| Transition period | 3:35 PM–3:50 PM |
| Post-close session | 3:50 PM–4:00 PM |
| Normal market closes for non-CAS securities | 3:30 PM |
Additional Equity Market Sessions
Apart from the main trading window, the NSE has scheduled several additional sessions for specific market activities.
| Session | Timings |
|---|---|
| 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 preopen session | 3:05 PM–3:30 PM |
| Call auction illiquid session | 2:25 PM–3:10 PM |
| Trade modification window | 2:20 PM–4:15 PM |
The exchange has specified system-driven random closure periods for applicable order-entry sessions. Investors and trading members should follow the prescribed order-entry and cancellation restrictions during these windows.
Official NSE circular: Equity cash market circular
F&O Segment Muhurat Trading Timings
The NSE has scheduled the equity futures and options segment to operate from 2:20 PM to 3:40 PM. The pre-open process will follow a schedule similar to the equity cash market, while the price-band update and trade modification deadlines will apply separately.
| Trading activity | Timings |
|---|---|
| Pre-open order entry | 2:05 PM–2:10 PM |
| Restricted pre-open order entry | 2:10 PM–2:15 PM |
| Order matching and confirmation | 2:15 PM–2:17 PM |
| Buffer period | 2:17 PM–2:20 PM |
| Continuous trading session | 2:20 PM–3:40 PM |
| Stock and index futures price-band update | 3:15 PM |
| Trade modification window closes | 3:50 PM |
Traders should check their open positions, pending orders and applicable margin requirements before the session begins.
Official NSE circular: F&O segment circular
Commodity Derivatives Muhurat Trading Timings
The commodity derivatives segment will have a shorter trading window, with the regular market closing at 3:30 PM. The NSE has also specified the cut-off for position limits, collateral values and trade modifications.
| Trading activity | Timings |
|---|---|
| Normal market opens | 2:20 PM |
| Normal market closes | 3:30 PM |
| Position-limit and collateral-value cut-off | 3:40 PM |
| Trade modification facility closes | 3:40 PM |
Commodity market participants should check the rules applicable to their contracts and ensure that any required actions are completed within the specified deadlines.
Official NSE circular: Commodity derivatives circular
Trades Will Carry Settlement Obligations
The NSE has clarified in all three circulars that trades executed during the Diwali Muhurat Trading session will result in settlement obligations. The special session does not exempt investors from the applicable settlement requirements.
Investors should review their broker’s instructions, margin requirements and settlement procedures before placing orders. They should also distinguish between the trading hours of the equity, F&O and commodity derivatives segments.
While Muhurat Trading carries traditional significance for many market participants, it does not guarantee positive returns. Investment decisions should be based on financial goals, risk tolerance and investment horizons rather than the occasion alone.
With the timings now announced, traders can plan their activities for November 8, 2026, and check the applicable schedule for their respective market segments.
For more updates on the stock market, IPOs, banking and financial markets, visit the Lakshmishree Investment and Securities News section.
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