Stock markets to open on Diwali Sunday for Muhurat trading on November 8, 2.20 pm to 3.30 pm

Diwali falls on a Sunday this year, which left investors wondering whether Muhurat trading would be held. Stock markets are normally closed on Sundays for the weekly holiday. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have now made it clear that a special Muhurat trading session will be held on Sunday.

As per stock market rules, the special session will be held on November 8, the day of Diwali. A pre-opening session will run from 2.05 pm to 2.20 pm, a span of 15 minutes. The main trading session will then run from 2.20 pm to 3.30 pm. Investors can buy and sell shares within this fixed window. It is not a full-day session as on regular working days, but a special session of a little over an hour.

Timings for other markets have also been fixed. On the MCX, or Multi Commodity Exchange, the pre-session will run from 2.05 pm to 2.19 pm and the main trading session from 2.20 pm to 3.30 pm. All commodity and index contracts will be available.

The BSE has a separate arrangement for certain shares. For IPO and re-listed shares, order entry will run from 2.05 pm to 2.50 pm, order matching from 2.50 pm to 3.05 pm, and trading from 3.05 pm to 3.30 pm.

According to the Hindu calendar, the new Samvat year begins with Diwali. This time marks the start of Samvat 2083. By religious and traditional belief, trade carried out during the muhurat, or auspicious time, brings prosperity and economic progress. Because of this belief, many investors begin new investments on this day.

Experts say the aim of the session is not to make a quick large profit but that it is part of a cultural tradition. Trading will be possible in segments such as equities, derivatives, currency and futures and options in this special session.

Apart from Diwali, the stock market will remain closed on two more days in November 2026. There will be no trading on November 10 for Diwali Balipratipada and on November 24 for Guru Nanak Jayanti. As usual, Saturdays and Sundays will be weekly holidays. Investors should therefore plan with this market schedule in mind.