Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most widely celebrated occasions in the Hindu calendar. It stands for the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Homes are cleaned and lit with diyas, and families pray to Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and wellbeing in the year ahead.

Like most festivals, Diwali comes with its own set of customs, and one of them belongs to the stock market. Every year, NSE and BSE hold a special session called Muhurat Trading, where investors place their first trades of the new Samvat year. In 2026, it takes place on Sunday, November 8, with the normal market running from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM.

What is Muhurat Trading?

“Muhurat” means an auspicious time in Hindu tradition, a period when the stars are believed to favour new beginnings. For India’s business community, Diwali is also the start of a new financial year, which is why the exchanges mark it with a session of their own.

Muhurat Trading is a special trading session of about 70 minutes. The belief is that trading during this window brings prosperity through the year ahead. Many investors treat it as a symbolic first purchase of the year and buy shares in a company they plan to hold for the long term.

Muhurat Trading Timings on November 8, 2026

The schedule below is from the NSE circular dated October 19, 2026. All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST), and the equity timings are the same on NSE and BSE.

Main Sessions

• The system may close order entry at random during the last 2 minutes.

Other Sessions

• The system may close the Special Pre-open Session at random during the last 10 minutes.
• The system may close the Call Auction Illiquid Session at random during the last minute.
• In Futures & Options, the normal market runs from 2:20 PM to 3:40 PM, and trade modification is allowed until 3:50 PM.
• All trades executed in the Muhurat session create settlement obligations.

How the Session Works?

NSE and BSE open for a limited window on Diwali. The session runs in these parts:

1. Block Deal Session – Two parties agree on a price for a large trade and report it to the exchange.
2. Pre-open Session – The exchange collects orders and sets the opening price. In 2026 this runs from 2:05 PM to 2:20 PM.
3. Normal Market – The main session, where most trading happens, from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM.
4. Call Auction Session – Securities the exchange classifies as illiquid are traded here.
5. Closing Sessions – The closing auction and post-close session, where orders can be placed at the closing price.

What to Keep in Mind Before You Trade

• The session is on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Make sure your account is funded and you can log in to your trading platform before 2:05 PM.
• Shares you buy on Friday, November 6, will not reach your demat account until Monday. This means you cannot sell them during the Sunday session.
• Money from shares you sell on Friday, including any profit, will also not be available on Sunday. It is credited only after settlement on Monday.
• Trades made on Sunday are not settled the same day. Shares and funds are settled on Monday, November 9.
• After-market orders (AMO) go directly into the normal market, which opens at 2:20 PM.
• Equity cash (NSE & BSE): Intraday (MIS) positions are squared off at 3:10 PM.
• Futures & Options (NSE & BSE) and MCX: Intraday (MIS) positions are squared off at 3:25 PM.
• You can place a withdrawal request on Sunday for your cleared balance, and you will receive it on Monday.