Muhurat Trading Session 2026

This year, Muhurat Trading 2026 will take place on Sunday, November 8, on the occasion of Diwali Laxmi Pujan. While the stock market will remain closed for the Diwali trading holiday, the NSE and BSE will hold a special equity trading session.

Trading will begin at 2:20 PM, with continuous trading ending at 3:15 PM for securities covered by the Closing Auction Session (CAS) and at 3:30 PM for other eligible securities. Both exchanges have declared the same timings for equity trading.

The NSE and BSE announce the Muhurat Trading schedule through separate exchange circulars. The session includes several stages, such as pre-open order entry, continuous trading, closing auction and post-close activities. The NSE and BSE have announced the same timings for equity trading.

For Diwali Muhurat Trading in 2026, here is the Muhurat Trading schedule.

The closing process differs for CAS and non-CAS securities. For CAS securities, regular trading ends at 3:15 PM, followed by the closing auction process. This includes order entry and matching before the market moves to the post-close session.

Apart from the regular trading session, the exchanges have set separate timings for block deals, IPOs, relisted stocks, illiquid securities, and trade modifications.

The NSE and BSE announce Muhurat Trading timings separately each year. The following table provides a year-wise look at the main equity trading session over the past five years

You do not need a separate account to participate in Muhurat Trading. If you already have an active trading account, you can place orders through your broker, just as you would on a regular trading day.

Before the session begins, decide which stocks you want to buy and why. Check the company's financial performance, valuation and business outlook instead of picking a stock simply because it is Diwali.

Make sure you have enough funds in your trading account, log in to your broker's platform during the session and place your order. Keep in mind that placing an order does not guarantee execution. It will be completed only if a matching order is available at the required price.

If you are a first-time investor, there is no need to rush into buying shares just to mark the occasion. Take time to understand the business and the risks involved before investing.

For many investors, buying shares during Muhurat Trading is an annual Diwali tradition. Some make a small purchase to mark the beginning of a new Samvat, or traditional Hindu year, while others see it as a convenient time to start investing.

But there is an important distinction between tradition and investment strategy.

The fact that a stock is purchased during Muhurat Trading does not make it a better investment. Its future performance will still depend on the company's business, earnings, valuation and broader market conditions.

The session can be a good reminder to review your investments or finally start building a portfolio. However, investors should avoid making hurried decisions or assuming that stocks will rise simply because the session is considered auspicious.

Stocks, ETFs and mutual funds follow different trading and processing rules. While stocks and ETFs can be traded on the exchange during the announced Muhurat Trading session, mutual fund transactions follow a separate process.

The main difference is how these investments are priced. Stocks and ETFs trade at market prices during the session. Open-ended mutual funds, on the other hand, are bought or redeemed at the applicable net asset value (NAV).

You should not assume that a mutual fund purchase made during Muhurat Trading will receive the same day's NAV. The applicable NAV depends on factors such as the transaction timestamp, cut-off rules and receipt of funds by the fund house.

Since Muhurat Trading 2026 falls on a Sunday, a purchase request submitted that day will generally be processed on the next business day. The NAV applicable to the purchase will depend on when the transaction is processed, and the funds are available for utilisation, in line with the applicable rules.

Muhurat Trading can be a good time for beginners to make their first stock market investment, provided they understand what they are buying and why. However, the occasion itself does not make an investment profitable. Share prices can move up or down just as they do during regular market hours.

If you are planning to invest during the session, keep a few things in mind:

• Research the company: Look at its financial performance, business model and growth prospects before buying its shares.
• Avoid investing on impulse: Do not pick a stock simply because it is Diwali or because others are buying it.
• Set a budget: Invest an amount that fits your financial goals and risk tolerance.
• Look beyond the day's movement: A stock's performance in a single session matters less than its long-term business prospects.
• Understand the risks: Even established companies can see their share prices fall, and you may lose money.

If you are not ready to pick individual stocks, you can use the occasion to learn about other investment options, such as mutual funds, diversification and systematic investment plans (SIPs). You do not have to place a trade to make the most of Diwali. Starting with a clear investment plan is more important than buying something just for the occasion.

Muhurat Trading is one of the few occasions when a stock market session is closely linked to a cultural tradition. For some investors, it is an annual ritual; for others, it is a chance to make their first stock market investment.

If you plan to participate on 8 November 2026, check the exchange timings and decide what you want to buy before the session starts. You do not have to make a trade simply because the market is open.

A well-researched investment made at the right valuation is more important than the occasion on which you buy it.