Diwali Muhurat Trading 2026: Time, Schedule and CAS Rules

Stock market Diwali Muhurat trading is a special session that NSE and BSE hold on Diwali Laxmi Pujan. In 2026, it takes place on Sunday, 8th November, from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST. Stocks in the Closing Auction Session (CAS) stop normal trading at 3:15 PM, followed by an auction.

What is Diwali Muhurat Trading?

The term “Muhurat” refers to an auspicious period in Hindu tradition when celestial alignments are believed to favour positive outcomes. Any trade that takes place within this auspicious period is termed Muhurat Trading. In simple terms, a Muhurat trade is any trade placed during this auspicious window. Rooted in Vedic astrology, this concept has been adopted by India’s financial markets to create a unique trading ritual observed nowhere else in the world.

During this special session, both the NSE and BSE are open for a short window on Diwali. Investors see this as a chance to open new trades, believing investments made during this sacred hour will multiply prosperity throughout the coming Samvat year.

Muhurat Trading NSE Time Schedule for 2026

This year, the Muhurat Trading session is scheduled for Sunday, 8th November 2026, for Diwali Laxmi Pujan. Like 2025, it is an afternoon session, but it starts 35 minutes later and runs 10 minutes longer. Here is the complete Muhurat trading time schedule for 2026, followed by the 2025 and 2024 timings for comparison.

Muhurat Trading 2026 Timings (Equity Cash Market)

Source: NSE circular NSE/CMTR/76941, dated 19th October 2026.

Muhurat Trading 2025 Timings

Muhurat Trading 2024 Timings

In 2025, the session moved from the traditional evening slot to the early afternoon for the first time, to align with the auspicious Kartika Amavasya Tithi. The 2026 schedule keeps the afternoon slot.

Note: All Muhurat trades executed during this Muhurat Trading session will result in settlement obligations, so ensure adequate funds are available in your trading account.

Historical Insights into Muhurat Trading

BSE began the Muhurat Trading tradition in 1957, and NSE followed in 1992. The practice traces back to traditional Indian business practices, where merchants and traders began their new accounting year on Diwali. This wasn’t merely a financial reset; it was a spiritual renewal.

Historically, the broking community performed Chopda Pujan, a ritualistic worship of their account books, seeking blessings from Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. During this auspicious window, stockbrokers would open fresh settlement accounts for clients, marking the beginning of a new financial chapter.

An interesting historical dynamic existed between trading communities: Marwari traders traditionally avoided bringing money into their homes on Diwali and would often sell securities. In contrast, Gujarati traders typically purchased shares during this period. Though these community-specific practices have evolved, the underlying reverence for this trading session remains strong across all investor demographics.

Today, stock market Diwali Muhurat Trading has become a symbolic ceremony in which investors perform Lakshmi Pujan before making strategic investments in the Indian stock market. Many investors place a small token buy in Muhurat trading shares they plan to hold for years, as shagun for the year ahead.

What Happens During Muhurat Trading?

The Muhurat Trading session follows a structured format designed to ensure orderly price discovery and execution. The session comprises multiple phases that facilitate smooth trading operations:

• Block Deal Session: Large institutional trades are executed in a separate window before the main session begins.
• Pre-Open Session: Market participants place orders that undergo a call auction process. This mechanism helps establish fair opening prices before active trading begins. In 2026, the exchange accepts both market and limit orders at first, but only limit orders after 2:10 PM.
• Equilibrium Price Determination: A brief window where the exchange’s algorithms calculate equilibrium prices based on accumulated buy and sell orders, with a random closure time to prevent gaming. This is followed by a three-minute buffer before normal trading opens.
• Active Trading Window: The main session where continuous trading occurs at market-determined prices. In 2026, this window runs for 70 minutes in the cash market.
• Closing Auction Session (CAS): New this year. For CAS-eligible stocks, normal trading stops earlier, and the closing price is discovered through a separate auction instead of the traditional closing calculation.
• Post-Close Session: Provides additional time for trade modifications and order management before final settlement.

What’s New in Muhurat Trading 2026? 

The 2026 Diwali Muhurat trading time differs from last year in four ways:

• A Sunday Session: Diwali Laxmi Pujan falls on Sunday, 8th November 2026. Muhurat Trading is held on Laxmi Pujan whatever the day of the week, so the exchanges will open specially on a weekend.
• A 70-Minute Window: Continuous trading runs from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM, ten minutes longer than the usual one-hour session.
• First Session with the Closing Auction Session: CAS-eligible stocks stop normal trading at 3:15 PM and their closing price is set through an auction.
• Longer F&O Window: Equity Futures and Options trade until 3:40 PM, in line with the extended F&O close on regular days.

What is the Closing Auction Session (CAS)?

The Closing Auction Session is a new mechanism for discovering the closing price of eligible stocks. Instead of the closing price being calculated only from trades in the last part of the day, buyers and sellers place orders in a short auction window, and the exchange matches them at a single closing price.

Here is how CAS works on the 2026 Diwali Muhurat trading day:

1. Normal trading in CAS-eligible stocks stops at 3:15 PM.
2. From 3:15 PM to 3:20 PM, the exchange calculates a reference price and moves these stocks into the auction.
3. CAS order entry runs from 3:20 PM to 3:25 PM for both limit and market orders.
4. From 3:25 PM to 3:30 PM, you can only place, modify, or cancel limit orders, with a random closure in the last two minutes.
5. Orders are matched and the closing price is confirmed between 3:30 PM and 3:35 PM.

If you hold a CAS-eligible stock and plan to buy or sell near the close, place your order in the auction window. Stocks outside CAS continue normal trading until 3:30 PM.

Segment-wise Muhurat Trading Timings 2026 

The NSE issued separate circulars for each segment. Normal trading opens at 2:20 PM in every segment, so the Diwali share market open time is the same across segments, but the closing time differs.

Why the Afternoon Timing Matters

Since 2025, the Deepawali trading time has shifted from the evening to the afternoon. This continues to matter for investors because of:

• Enhanced Global Accessibility: The afternoon timing invites participation by NRI investors and overseas traders through their brokers, making it a more inclusive celebration of Indian markets globally.
• Operational Efficiency: Afternoon sessions enable more efficient settlement processing and reduce operational strain on exchange infrastructure.
• Family Time: The evening hours are reserved for families to celebrate Diwali festivities together, striking a balance between tradition and market participation.

Who Can Benefit from Muhurat Trading NSE?

• New Investors: As it is a long-held belief that every trade during Muhurat trading hours will yield benefits, new investors looking to invest in the stock market can begin their equity investment journey on this auspicious day. However, it is important to consult a financial advisor before investing in the stock market, as auspicious timing doesn’t replace due diligence.
• Active Traders: Experienced day traders can capitalise on the increased volumes. Intraday trading is permitted, but all intraday positions will be squared off before the session closes, and auto square-off timings may differ from a regular day, so plan your trades accordingly.
• Long-Term Investors: Stock market Muhurat trading is also a good occasion to review your portfolio and add to stocks you already plan to hold, rather than chase a quick Diwali trade.

Benefits of Investing During Muhurat Trading Hours

• Cultural Significance Meets Market Opportunity: Beyond the spiritual relevance, the session generates genuine market dynamics worth considering.
• Enhanced Liquidity: The concentrated participation from retail and institutional investors often creates healthy liquidity compared to regular trading hours, potentially leading to tighter bid-ask spreads.
• Positive Market Psychology: The optimistic sentiment surrounding Diwali frequently translates into bullish market behaviour.
• Reduced Time Pressure: Unlike regular trading days, the compressed 70-minute window of the Deepawali trading time can actually reduce decision fatigue. Investors who prepare in advance can execute predetermined strategies efficiently.
• Lower Overnight Risk: Since all positions require settlement, intraday traders face no overnight gap risk, providing a clean slate for the next regular trading session.

Things to Consider Before Investing During Muhurat Trading Hours (2026)

• Understand Settlement Mechanics: All open positions at the end of the session will require settlement. You can ensure adequate funds are available in your trading account to meet delivery obligations under the standard T+1 settlement cycle.
• Avoid the Hype Trap: Social media and messaging groups often buzz with “hot tips” on Muhurat trading stocks. It is better to stick to your investment thesis or consult a financial advisor before investing during Muhurat Trading hours.
• Use Limit Orders: The session is short and volumes can be thin, so the Muhurat trading share price of a stock can swing sharply. Limit orders give you more control than market orders, and only limit orders are accepted in parts of the pre-open and CAS windows.
• Know Your Muhurat Trade Time: If you hold CAS-eligible stocks, remember that normal trading for them stops at 3:15 PM, not 3:30 PM.
• Margin Rules Still Apply: There are no special margin exemptions on Muhurat day. You need sufficient funds or margin in your account for orders to execute.

Have a Hassle-Free Muhurat Trading Experience with smallcase this Diwali!

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• Set a Reminder: Avoid missing the Muhurat hour by setting a reminder, so you place your order on time.

To Wrap It Up…

Muhurat Trading in 2026 offers a unique intersection of tradition and finance, providing both symbolic significance and practical trading opportunities. A Sunday session, a 70-minute window and the first Muhurat session with the Closing Auction Session make this year’s Diwali Muhurat trading particularly noteworthy. Whether you participate for cultural reasons, market opportunity, or both, approach this session with the same diligence you’d apply to any investment decision.

Wishing you a prosperous and joyous Diwali!

Frequently Asked Questions About Muhurat Trading