Business · Markets · 8 hrs ago
India’s stock exchanges will hold a shortened Diwali trading session
India’s NSE and BSE will open for a special Diwali session on Sunday, Nov.
8.
Known as Muhurat trading, it marks the start of a new Hindu calendar year, called Samvat.
The tradition reflects merchant families’ custom of starting the year with an auspicious transaction.
It also grew from Diwali practices of closing accounts and opening new business ledgers.
BSE has observed the tradition since 1957, and it continues even though trading has moved from exchange floors to phones and computers.
The session is shortened, but trades must still be settled normally.
This year it comes as Indian equity benchmarks are ending Samvat 2082 down more than 3%, their worst annual performance in over a decade.
India’s stock markets will hold a shortened special trading session on Sunday, Nov. 8, for Diwali.
The session, known as Muhurat trading, marks the start of a new Hindu calendar year called Samvat.
The pre-open session is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. to 2:20 p.m., with trading from 2:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Trades will carry regular settlement obligations, despite the session’s ceremonial purpose.
The tradition has continued as Indian markets moved from trading floors to electronic platforms.
- Who
- India’s stock exchanges, NSE and BSE, will hold the session.
- What
- A shortened special stock market session for Muhurat trading.
- When
- Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. The pre-open session is from 2:05 p.m. to 2:20 p.m., followed by trading from 2:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The session marks the start of the new Hindu calendar year, Samvat, and is considered auspicious by many trading communities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
BSE’s annual report says the exchange has observed the Muhurat trading tradition since this year.
Indian exchanges shifted to screen-based trading, moving the ritual away from the trading floor.
NSE and BSE are scheduled to hold the shortened Diwali session.
- Session date
- Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026
- Pre-open session
- 2:05 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
- Trading session
- 2:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Exchange names
- NSE and BSE
- BSE tradition
- Observed since 1957
7 sources
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