Archive · 17 Jan 2026
SEBI Introduces Closing Auction Session for Equity Market
SEBI, the markets regulator in India, has decided to introduce a new way to determine the closing prices of stocks.
This new method, called a closing auction session (CAS), will make the process more transparent and fair.
The CAS will run for 20 minutes at the end of the trading day, where buyers and sellers can place orders to determine the closing price.
This price will be used to settle derivatives and help large investors trade more efficiently.
The new system will be introduced in phases, starting with stocks that have derivative contracts.
The goal is to make the Indian stock market more aligned with global practices, ensuring fair and efficient trading for everyone.
SEBI introduces a closing auction session (CAS) to determine equity closing prices more transparently.
CAS will run for 20 minutes from 3:15 pm to 3:35 pm, replacing the current VWAP-based method.
The new framework will initially apply to stocks with derivative contracts, with other stocks continuing under the existing method.
Closing prices will be determined through an auction mechanism, aggregating market interest for better execution efficiency.
The implementation of CAS is scheduled for August 3, 2026, with the pre-open auction alignment on September 7, 2026.
- Who
- SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)
- What
- Introduction of a closing auction session (CAS) in the equity cash segment
- When
- Implementation from August 3, 2026; pre-open auction alignment from September 7, 2026
- Where
- Indian equity markets
- Why
- To make the discovery of closing prices more transparent and robust, aligning with global best practices
- Implementation Date
- August 3, 2026
- Session Duration
- 20 minutes (3:15 pm to 3:35 pm)
- Reference Price Basis
- VWAP of trades between 3:00 pm and 3:15 pm
- Price Band
- ±3% of the reference price
- Order Types Allowed
- Market and limit orders
- Equilibrium Price Criteria
- Price with maximum executable volume
- Pre-Open Auction Alignment Date
- September 7, 2026