Muhurat Trading Timing 2026: Diwali Session on 8 November, 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST

Muhurat trading timing in 2026 is fixed for the afternoon of Sunday, 8 November, when NSE and BSE open a special Diwali session from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST. The exchanges announced the schedule through circulars dated 19 October 2026, and both follow the same timings for the equity segment.

Traders and long term investors treat this hour as the symbolic start of the new Hindu calendar year, Samvat 2083. This guide gives the exact Muhurat trading timing, the pre-open schedule, how the new closing auction works and what to keep in mind before you place an order.

Last updated: 3 November 2026. Source: NSE circular NSE/CMTR/76941 (equity) and NSE circular NSE/COM/76978 (commodity derivatives), both dated 19 October 2026, along with BSE notices of the same date.

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Muhurat Trading Date and Day in 2026

Muhurat trading 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, on the occasion of Diwali Laxmi Pujan, and the Muhurat trading timing is announced afresh each year. Because it is a Sunday and a festival day, the regular market stays closed. The exchanges open only a special live trading session, so the Muhurat trading timing is the only trading window that day.

The date is listed in the NSE holiday calendar, and the detailed schedule comes from the exchange circulars issued on 19 October 2026. Always confirm the final Muhurat trading timing on the official NSE and BSE websites, because exchanges can revise a schedule through a fresh circular.

Diwali Muhurat Trading Timing 2026 on NSE and BSE

The table below lists the Muhurat trading timing for the equity segment on 8 November 2026. All times are in Indian Standard Time.

Session	Time (IST)	What happens
Pre-open order entry	2:05 PM to 2:15 PM	Market and limit orders are accepted at first, and only limit orders are accepted after 2:10 PM
Order matching	2:15 PM to 2:17 PM	Orders are matched and the opening price is set
Buffer period	2:17 PM to 2:20 PM	The system prepares for the start of normal trading
Normal market	2:20 PM to 3:30 PM	Continuous trading for equities and equity derivatives; securities under the closing auction stop continuous trading at 3:15 PM
Closing Auction Session	After continuous trading	Eligible securities settle their closing price through an auction

In short, the Muhurat trading timing has two parts: a 15 minute pre-open session and a 70 minute normal market. Orders placed in the pre-open window help you take part in the opening price, while the normal market is where most trades happen.

Use the Univest stock screener to build a Diwali watchlist before the session opens

What Is Muhurat Trading and Why Is It Held on Diwali

Muhurat trading is a special session held on Diwali Laxmi Pujan to mark the beginning of the new Samvat year. The word Muhurat means an auspicious time, and many market participants place a first trade of the year in this window as a gesture of good fortune and prosperity.

The session is symbolic, and the exchanges usually keep the Muhurat trading timing short. Business Standard has noted that trading windows of this kind tend to be volatile because they are brief, so the tone of the session is often driven by sentiment and not by a change in company fundamentals.

How the Muhurat Trading Timing Has Changed Since Last Time

The Muhurat trading timing changes every year with the Hindu calendar. In 2024, the special session was held on Friday, 1 November, from 6 PM to 7 PM, after a pre-open from 5:45 PM to 6 PM. In 2026, the Muhurat trading timing moves to the afternoon and runs longer.

Year	Day and date	Normal market timing
2024	Friday, 1 November	6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
2026	Sunday, 8 November	2:20 PM to 3:30 PM

What the Closing Auction Session Changes in Muhurat Trading 2026

Muhurat trading 2026 is the first session after the exchanges introduced the Closing Auction Session, or CAS. For eligible securities, continuous trading ends at 3:15 PM, and the closing price is then set through an auction. For other securities, continuous trading runs until 3:30 PM.

For an investor, the practical point about Muhurat trading timing is simple. If a stock is under CAS, plan your orders before 3:15 PM, and use limit orders so that you control the price at which the trade is executed.

Which Segments Trade in Muhurat Trading 2026

Equity is not the only market that opens on 8 November 2026. NSE has announced Muhurat sessions for equity, equity derivatives, currency derivatives and commodity derivatives, and BSE has announced sessions for equity, equity derivatives, commodity derivatives and Electronic Gold Receipts. The Muhurat trading timing for each segment is shown below.

Segment	Normal market timing (IST)	Source note
Equity (NSE and BSE)	2:20 PM to 3:30 PM	Securities under CAS trade until 3:15 PM
Equity derivatives (F&O)	2:20 PM to 3:30 PM	Same window as equity; confirm in the exchange F&O circular
Currency derivatives	2:20 PM to 3:30 PM	As listed in broker notices for the session
NSE commodity derivatives	2:20 PM to 3:30 PM	NSE circular NSE/COM/76978 dated 19 October 2026
MCX commodity	2:20 PM to 3:30 PM	Special pre-session reported from 2:05 PM; check the MCX circular for the final notice

Every trade executed in the Muhurat session creates a settlement obligation, so it is a real trade and not a mock session. Brokers have also noted that profits from the previous settlement day may not be available as funds during the session because of the settlement holiday, so keep enough free margin ready.

How to Pick Stocks for Muhurat Trading

Many readers search for Muhurat trading stocks to buy, and the sensible answer is to use the same checks you would use on any other day. Look for steady profit growth, low debt, a healthy return on equity and good daily trading volume, because liquid shares are easier to buy and sell in a 70 minute window.

A stock screener helps you filter names on these points well before the Muhurat trading timing arrives. Shortlist a few companies, note the price at which you would be comfortable buying, and keep the Muhurat trading timing in mind so that you place orders before the closing window. Avoid changing your plan because of a sudden move in the first few minutes.

Tips to Prepare for Muhurat Trading Timing in 2026

A short, symbolic session rewards preparation more than speed. These points can help you use the 70 minutes of Muhurat trading 2026 sensibly.

Build a small watchlist in advance, so that you are not searching for names after the market opens. Use limit orders, because prices can move quickly in a short window. Keep trade sizes modest, since the session is meant to be symbolic and liquidity can be thinner than on a regular day.

Many long term investors use Muhurat trading 2026 to buy a quality company they already researched and plan to hold through Samvat 2083, and not to chase a quick gain. Whatever you choose, check the final Muhurat trading timing on the NSE and BSE websites on the morning of 8 November.

Conclusion

The Muhurat trading timing for Diwali 2026 is clear: Sunday, 8 November, with a pre-open from 2:05 PM and normal trading from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST on NSE and BSE. With the new Closing Auction Session in place for Muhurat trading 2026, early planning and limit orders matter more than before.

Download the Univest iOS App or Univest Android App to track your watchlist during the Diwali session.

What is the Muhurat trading timing in 2026?

Ans. The Muhurat trading timing in 2026 is 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST on Sunday, 8 November, on both NSE and BSE. A pre-open session starts at 2:05 PM, with order matching between 2:15 PM and 2:17 PM and a short buffer before normal trading begins at 2:20 PM. Securities that fall under the Closing Auction Session stop continuous trading at 3:15 PM, so confirm the timing for your stock on the exchange circulars.

On which date and day is Muhurat trading in 2026?

Ans. Muhurat trading in 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November, which is the day of Diwali Laxmi Pujan. The regular market is closed on that day, so the special session is the only time when equity orders can be placed. The exchanges announced the schedule through circulars dated 19 October 2026, and any change would be notified in a fresh circular.

What is the pre-open session timing for Muhurat trading 2026?

Ans. The Muhurat trading timing for the pre-open session runs from 2:05 PM to 2:20 PM. Order entry takes place from 2:05 PM to 2:15 PM, with only limit orders accepted after 2:10 PM, and order matching runs from 2:15 PM to 2:17 PM. The rest of the period is a buffer before continuous trading starts at 2:20 PM, so orders placed early can help you take part in the opening price.

Will both NSE and BSE hold Muhurat trading on 8 November 2026?

Ans. Yes, both NSE and BSE will hold a special session on 8 November 2026, and the Muhurat trading timing for equities is the same on both exchanges. Normal trading runs from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST. Equity derivatives, currency derivatives and commodity derivatives also have Muhurat sessions on the same day, and the normal market window shown in exchange and broker notices is 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM, so check the circular for the segment you trade.

Why is the stock market open on Diwali for Muhurat trading?

Ans. The Muhurat trading timing is a special window because Muhurat trading is an old tradition that marks the start of the new Samvat year. Muhurat means an auspicious time, and many investors place a first trade of the year in this window as a symbol of prosperity. The session is short and symbolic, so it should be treated as a ceremonial start and not as a reason to take a large position.

What is the Closing Auction Session and how does it affect Muhurat trading 2026?

Ans. The Closing Auction Session, or CAS, is a method that sets the closing price of eligible securities through an auction at the end of the day instead of using only the last trades. Muhurat trading 2026 is the first Diwali session to include it. For securities under CAS, continuous trading ends at 3:15 PM, so investors should place orders earlier and prefer limit orders to control the execution price.

Do trades in the Muhurat trading session settle like normal trades?

Ans. Yes, all trades placed within the Muhurat trading timing result in settlement obligations, as stated in the NSE circular. This means a buy or sell order is a real trade with real profit, loss and charges. Because the session falls on a Sunday holiday, keep sufficient funds or shares ready in your account before the Muhurat trading timing begins, and read your broker notice for the exact pay-in and pay-out dates.

Is Muhurat trading a good time for beginners to invest?

Ans. The Muhurat trading timing is short, yet it can be a simple way for a beginner to make a first purchase of the year, but it should be approached with care. The Muhurat trading timing is brief, and prices can move quickly, so use limit orders, keep the amount modest and choose companies you have already studied. This is educational information and not investment advice, so match any decision to your own goals and risk appetite.