Stock Market Timings in India: BSE & NSE Opening & Closing Time
The stock market timings in India remain a key factor in the trading strategy. The BSE and NSE set specific trading hours that determine when you can buy and sell stocks. These timings can affect market volatility and trading volumes, which in turn may impact your decisions. In this blog, we’ll look at the BSE NSE trading hours, including the opening and closing times, their importance, and how they can influence the trading approach.
What are Stock Market Timings in India?
Stock market timings refer to the hours when the stock exchange is open for trading. During this period, investors can buy and sell stocks. The opening and closing times of the stock market vary from country to country. For the Indian stock market, the opening time is from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm. Traders can buy and sell shares freely during these hours.
Why is Indian Share Market Timing Important?
The stock market timings in India set the hours during which investors can trade. Understanding these timings helps investors decide when to enter or exit the market and come up with a solid strategy to make informed investment choices.
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Stock Market Opening and Closing Time in India
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) are the two main exchanges. Both have the same stock market trading hours in India. The stock market opening time in India is 9:00 am, and the stock market closing time in India is 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Here are the main divisions of the NSE BSE trading schedule in India:
Pre-opening Timings in India
Before the market opens, a pre-open session runs for 15 minutes to determine a fair opening price. This session starts at 9:00 am, and during this time, investors can place orders to buy or sell stocks. The stock exchange has an 8-minute order collection period, where orders can be entered, modified, or cancelled.
The pre-open session is split into three parts:
- 9:00 am to 9:08 am: This is the order entry period, where orders can be placed or modified.
- 9:08 am to 9:12 am: During this time, orders are matched, comparing demand and supply to set market prices.
- 9:12 am to 9:15 am: The exchange determines the final opening price during these three minutes. No further orders can be placed or modified.
Pre-open session timings (BSE and NSE): 9:00 am to 9:15 am
The pre-open session lasts from 9:00 am to 9:15 am. There is a system-driven random closure between the 7th and 8th minute to set the opening price.
Normal Trading Session Timings in India
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) are the two primary exchanges in India. The share market trading hours for both run from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday. During this time, traders can buy and sell shares freely. A bilateral session takes place, meaning a sell order is matched with a buy order.
Regular Indian stock market sessions timing: 9:15 am to 3:30 pm
Post-closing Session Timings in India
The stock market closing time is at 3:30 pm, and the post-market session lasts until 4:00 pm. During this period, investors can place orders at the closing price.
The post-market session is divided into two parts:
- 3:30 pm to 3:40 pm: The closing price is calculated using the weighted average of stock prices traded from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Both NSE and BSE have the same timing.
- 3:40 pm to 4:00 pm: Investors can place After-Market Orders (AMOs) for the next trading day. If the closing price is higher than the initial share price, investors can realise capital gains. If the closing price exceeds the opening price, bids can be cancelled between 9:00 am and 9:08 am the next day.
The post-closing session BSE and NSE lasts from 3:40 pm to 4:00 pm.
Summary of Stock Market Timings in India:
| Session | Timings |
|---|---|
| Pre-opening Session NSE and BSE | 9:00 am – 9:15 am |
| Normal Trading Session | 9:15 am – 3:30 pm |
| Closing Session | 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm |
Significance of Stock Market Timings in India
Knowing the stock market opening time in India helps you avoid missing important trading opportunities. Understanding when the market opens and closes lets you plan your trades and make timely decisions.
Time Zones and Global Markets
Share market timings vary across countries due to different time zones. For example, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) operates from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is 6:30 pm to 1:00 am Indian Standard Time (IST). It’s important to know global market times to make informed trading decisions.
Impact of Economic News on Share Market Time in India
Economic news, such as GDP figures or inflation data, can impact the Indian stock market. Both positive and negative news can impact the stock prices. Major announcements are often timed with the stock market opening and closing times to limit disruption and allow investors to react. Understanding the effect of economic news can help you make better decisions before the market closing time.
Trading Strategies Based on Stock Market Timings
Investors can choose different strategies based on stock market timings in India. For example, during intraday trading, traders often focus on the opening time when volatility is higher. Swing traders hold positions for a few days to take advantage of price movements. Long-term investors, like those in mutual funds, focus on the long term and don’t worry much about short-term price changes. Investors should select a strategy that fits their goals and risk tolerance.
What are Commodity Trading Timings?
Commodity trading is fundamental to the Indian economy. Participants, including investors and traders, Commodity trading is a key part of the Indian economy. Traders and investors buy and sell commodities like gold, silver, crude oil, and agricultural products. India has three main commodity exchanges:
- The Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX)
- The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX)
- The Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX)
The commodity market operates Monday to Friday, except on pre-declared holidays. Knowing commodity market timings helps traders plan their strategies.
Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) Trading Schedule
| Special Session | 8:45 am to 8:59 am | Allows traders to cancel pending orders before the market opens. No trades occur. |
| Continuous Session | 9:15 am to 3:30 pm | The main trading period where most transactions take place. |
| Normal Session | 9:00 am to 11:30 pm | Orders can be placed during this time. |
| Post Market Session | 11:30 pm to 11:55 pm | Orders for the next trading day can be placed. Executed during the regular session. |
| Extended Trading Hours | 11:30 pm to 11:55 pm | Allows traders to align with global markets. Varies by commodity and exchange. |
Muhurat Trading Session
On Diwali, a national holiday, regular trading is paused. However, the market opens for a special one-hour session called Muhurat Trading. Trades made during this session are seen as auspicious.
For example, on Diwali, 21st October 2025, the NSE and BSE held their Muhurat Trading session from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM IST.
NSE BSE Holiday Calendar
- National Holidays – These include Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.
- Trading Holidays – These include weekends and holidays observed by the stock exchanges. Trading holidays can be scheduled for events like elections or unforeseen circumstances. Investors should check the stock market opening and closing times during these holidays to plan their investments.
What are After Market Orders?
After-market orders on NSE/BSE allow investors to place buy or sell orders after regular trading hours. These orders are executed when the stock market in India opens the next day.
What is a Block Deal Session?
A block deal session is a special session on the stock exchange in India where large orders are executed at a single market price. These orders must meet a minimum quantity of shares or transaction value. Block deals help reduce market fluctuations.
Block Deal Session (NSE Timings)
- Morning Block Deal Window: 8:45 am to 9:00 am
- Afternoon Block Deal Window: 2:05 pm to 2:20 pm
Tips for Trading During Share Market Time
Investors who trade during the Indian stock exchange operating hours should consider the risks and opportunities involved. Here are a few tips:
- Monitor NSE BSE Market Timings: Keep track of market timings and the stocks you’re interested in. The period after the market opening often has higher volatility as traders respond to overnight news and events.
- Identify Trading Opportunities: Stay informed about news that may affect the market. By keeping an eye on the BSE and NSE share market timings in India, you can spot potential opportunities.
- Understand the Risks: Intraday trading carries risks, such as market volatility and sudden price changes. Be mindful of these risks when trading during market hours.
To Wrap It Up…
Investing in stocks can help build wealth over time, but it requires careful research and understanding of the stock market’s basics. Understanding stock market timings is essential. By knowing the opening and closing times of the share market in India, you can plan your trades more effectively and make the most of your opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions on Stock Market Timings
On weekdays, the opening time of the share market is from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm. During this period, one can engage in transactions without any restriction. Please note that the Indian stock market timing for NSE and BSE is the same.
Following the closure of the stock buying time, it is possible to submit and sell orders, with the actual trade execution taking place on the subsequent trading day during regular trading hours.
Besides the regular calendar holidays, exchanges typically remain closed on weekends. However, they have the discretion to hold special trading sessions on rare occasions.
Commodity market time depends on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (MCX). The morning share-buying time begins at 10:00 am and concludes at 11:30 am, while the evening stock-buying time extends from 5:00 pm and closes at either 11:30 pm or 11:55 pm.
The equity market timings in India are from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM on weekdays. After market hours, you can place after-market orders (AMOs) between 3:45 PM and 8:57 AM. These orders will be executed when the market opens at 9:15 AM. No active trading happens at night.
The Indian stock market opening time for BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) is 9:15 AM IST. It operates from Monday to Friday, with a pre-opening session beginning at 9:00 AM IST.
The Indian stock market closing time is 3:30 PM IST. This applies to both the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and NSE (National Stock Exchange).
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