October 23, 2026 | 4 min read
Muhurat Trading 2026: Will stock market be open on Sunday? NSE–BSE timings for special trading session
Muhurat Trading 2026 will be held on Sunday, 8 November 2026, on Diwali Laxmi Puja. NSE and BSE will open their equity markets for a special afternoon session, with continuous trading beginning at 2:20 pm IST. Trading in securities not covered by the Closing Auction Session (CAS) will continue until 3:30 pm, while continuous trading in CAS-eligible securities will end at 3:15 pm. For investors, Muhurat Trading combines a long-standing Diwali tradition with an opportunity to participate in the stock market. Here is a guide to the date, timings and session structure for 2026.
What Is Muhurat Trading?
Muhurat Trading is a special trading session conducted around Diwali by the stock exchanges. The word ‘muhurat’ refers to a time considered auspicious. The tradition connects the beginning of a new accounting year in some business communities with a symbolic investment or trade.
Investors often participate to mark a fresh start to their wealth creation journey. However, the session is not merely ceremonial: NSE’s circular explicitly states that all trades executed during Muhurat Trading will result in settlement obligations.
Muhurat Trading 2026 Date and Time
Both exchanges have scheduled the equity Muhurat Trading session for Sunday, 8 November 2026. Although the date falls on a Sunday, a special live trading session will take place under the announced timetable.
Particular | Details |
|---|---|
Date | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
Occasion | Diwali Laxmi Puja |
Exchanges covered | NSE and BSE |
Segment covered in this schedule | Equity/capital market |
Continuous trading begins | 2:20 pm |
Continuous trading ends for CAS eligible securities | 3:15 pm |
Continuous trading ends for non-CAS securities | 3:30 pm |
Post-close session | 3:50 pm to 4:00 pm |
Detailed Muhurat Trading 2026 Schedule
The equity session includes a block deal window, pre-open phases, continuous trading and closing-related sessions. The following timetable captures the main investor-facing timings announced by NSE and BSE.
Trading phase | Timing (IST) |
|---|---|
Block deal window | 1:50 pm–2:05 pm |
Pre-open: order entry, modification and cancellation for limit and market orders | 2:05 pm–2:10 pm |
Pre-open: order entry, modification and cancellation for limit orders only | 2:10 pm–2:15 pm |
Pre-open: order matching and trade confirmation | 2:15 pm–2:17 pm |
Pre-open: buffer period | 2:17 pm–2:20 pm |
Continuous trading for CAS-eligible securities | 2:20 pm–3:15 pm |
Continuous trading for non-CAS securities | 2:20 pm–3:30 pm |
CAS: reference-price calculation and transition | 3:15 pm–3:20 pm |
CAS: order entry, modification and cancellation for limit and market orders | 3:20 pm–3:25 pm |
CAS: order entry, modification and cancellation for limit orders only | 3:25 pm–3:30 pm |
CAS: order matching and trade confirmation | 3:30 pm–3:35 pm |
Post-close session | 3:50 pm–4:00 pm |
Why are there two continuous trading closing times?
The distinction depends on whether a security is covered by the Closing Auction Session.
For CAS eligible securities, continuous trading ends at 3:15 pm. A reference price calculation and transition period follows, before closing auction order entry begins at 3:20 pm. For non-CAS securities, continuous trading continues until 3:30 pm.
Therefore, describing Muhurat Trading 2026 simply as a “2:20 pm to 3:30 pm session” does not capture the complete schedule for every stock.
Special Timings for IPOs, Relisted Stocks and Illiquid Securities
The exchanges have also announced separate arrangements for certain securities.
Session | Timing (IST) |
|---|---|
Special pre-open order entry for IPO and relisted securities | 2:05 pm–2:50 pm |
Continuous trading for securities participating in the special pre-open session | 3:05 pm–3:30 pm |
Illiquid securities call auction order-entry period | 2:25 pm–3:10 pm |
BSE’s notice additionally specifies a special pre-open matching period from 2:50 pm to 3:05 pm and an illiquid securities call auction matching period from 3:10 pm to 3:20 pm.
What Makes Muhurat Trading Significant?
Muhurat Trading brings a cultural tradition into the financial markets. Many participants use the occasion to make a symbolic investment, associating Diwali with prosperity and a fresh beginning. Its roots lie in the practice of opening or worshipping account books around the festival in some business communities.
The symbolism does not change the nature of the transaction. Buying or selling during the special session creates settlement obligations; the festive occasion does not make an executed trade optional or ceremonial.
Important Details to Note for 2026:
- The session takes place in the afternoon, with continuous trading starting at 2:20 pm not in the evening.
- It is not a uniform one-hour continuous trading session. The window is 55 minutes for CAS eligible securities and 70 minutes for non-CAS securities.
- Pre-open and closing auction phases have different rules for limit and market orders, including restrictions on modifying or cancelling market orders during specified periods.
- IPO and relisted securities have a separate special pre-open timetable.
- The attached notices cover the equity/capital market segment; this timetable should not be presented as a universal schedule for every exchange segment.
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