Learn Stock Market Timing in India: Explore Open & Close Timings for NSE & BSE Share Markets
Stock market timings can be essential for investors to understand as they dictate the opening and closing hours of the stock market. The stock market is a platform where investors can buy and sell stocks of publicly listed companies. Therefore, the timings of the stock market may vary depending on the country and stock exchange. Thus, in this blog, we will understand the share market timings in India, the opening and closing time of share market, its importance, and the impact on trading strategies.
What are Stock Market Timings?
Stock market timings refer to the operating hours of the stock exchange, during which investors can buy and sell stocks. Share market opening time and share market closing time depend on the stock exchange and the country in which it operates.
Why is Indian Share Market Timing Important?
Stock market timings India can play a critical role in determining the time at which investors can enter or exit the market. The share market opening time and share market closing time can affect the price of stocks and the liquidity of the market. As a result, investors need to understand the timings of the stock market to make informed investment decisions.
Stock Market Opening Time in India
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) are the two major exchanges in India, and they follow a common stock market opening and closing time. Here are NSE timings and BSE market opening time for trading sessions. Share market opening time is 9:00 am and share market closing time is 3:30 pm on 5 days of the week (Monday-Friday).
Pre-Open Session Timings in India
The pre-open session in India starts at 9:00 am and lasts 15 minutes. During this time, investors can place orders to buy or sell stocks. The NSE has an order collection period of 8* minutes for order entry, modification and cancellation. (* System driven random closure between 7th and 8th minute). During this period, orders can be entered, modified and cancelled. The pre-open session is divided into three parts:
- 9:00 am to 9:08 am– During this ‘order entry period’, investors can place orders, and traders can modify them
- 9:08 am to 9:12 am– During this order matching period, the exchange matches the buy and sell orders.
- 9:12 am to 9:15 am– During this three-minute period, the exchange determines the final opening price based on the buy and sell orders placed. Thus, traders cannot set and modify orders.
Pre-open session timings (BSE and NSE): 9:00 am to 9:15 am
Normal Trading Session Timings in India
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) are the two primary stock exchanges in India. The trade start time for both exchanges is from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Traders can buy and sell their orders without any restriction during this period. Thus, a bilateral session is carried out during the session i.e. a sell order gets matched with a buy order.
Regular trading session timings: 9:15 am to 3:30 pm
Post-Closing Session Timings in India
The stock market closing time in India starts immediately after the trading session ends at 3:30 pm and lasts until 4:00 pm. During the market close, investors can place orders to buy or sell stocks at the closing price.
The post-market session is divided into three parts:
- 3:30 pm to 3:40 pm: During this period, the closing price gets calculated by considering the weighted average of stock prices traded from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
- 3:40 pm to 4:00 pm: At this point, traders can place bids for the next trading day. These are known as After-Market Orders (AMO). Conversely, if the closing price exceeds the initial share price, bids can be annulled between 9:00 and 9:08 am
Post-closing session timings (BSE and NSE): 3:40 pm to 4:00pm
The stock market timings in India can be demonstrated by the following table:
| Sessions | Timings |
| Pre-Opening session | 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM |
| Regular Trading session | 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM |
| Closing session | 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
| Post-Closing session | 3:40 PM – 4:00 PM |
What are Commodity Trading Timings?
Commodity trading is fundamental to the Indian economy. Participants, including investors and traders, engage in the trading of diverse commodities such as gold, silver, crude oil, and agricultural products. India hosts three major commodity exchanges:
- The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX)
- The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX)
- The Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX)
The commodity market functions throughout the year, from Monday to Friday, with the exception of pre-declared trading holidays.
Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) Trading Schedule
| Special Session | 8:45 am to 8:59 am | The Special Session, also referred to as the Order Cancellation Session, is conducted to allow traders or investors to cancel pending orders before the market opens. It’s essential to recognize that no actual trades occur during this period. |
| Continuous Session | 9:15 am to 3:30 pm | The Continuous Session, commonly known as Market Hours, is the primary trading session where the majority of buying and selling activities take place. Investors, traders, and market participants can engage in transactions involving stocks, bonds, and other listed financial instruments. |
| Normal Session | 9:00 am to 11:30 pm | Trade orders can be placed during this period. |
| Post Market Session | 11:30 pm to 11:55 pm | During the Post-Market Session, investors can submit orders for the upcoming trading day. It’s important to note that orders placed in this session will only be executed when the regular trading session commences the following day. |
| Extended Trading Hours | 11:30 pm to 11:55 pm | Indian Commodity Exchanges have introduced Extended Trading Hours to accommodate various participants. These extended hours offer additional flexibility to align with global commodity markets. It’s worth mentioning that the extended trading hours may vary based on the commodity and the exchange. |
Muhurat Trading
Since Diwali is a national holiday commemorating a religious occasion, normal trading is often suspended. However, every year, on Diwali, the market opens for one hour called Muhurat Trading. Trades executed on this day are often considered auspicious. For example, this year, on Diwali, November 12, 2023, the share market buy and sell time for both NSE and BSE Muhurat Trading was around 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm in the evening.
Holiday List for NSE and BSE
- National Holidays – National holidays in India include Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.
- Regional Holidays – Regional holidays vary depending on the state or region.
- Trading Holidays – Trading holidays include weekends and other holidays observed by the stock exchange. Exchanges schedule and observe trading holidays for events like assembly elections or unforeseen circumstances. Investors should check the holiday list and plan their investments accordingly.
Significance of Stock Market Timings
Time Zones and Global Markets
The share market timing may vary across countries due to the different time zones. For example, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) operates from 9:30 am to 4 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the United States, which is equivalent to 6:30 pm to 1 am Indian Standard Time (IST). Therefore, investors need to keep track of the global markets and their timings to make informed decisions.
Impact of Economic News on Share Market Time in India
Economic news, such as the release of GDP figures or inflation data, can significantly impact the stock market. For example, positive economic news can lead to an increase in the stock prices of companies that are likely to benefit from the news. On the other hand, negative news can lead to a decline in stock prices. Therefore, investors need to be aware of the impact of economic news on the stock market to make informed decisions.
Trading Strategies Based on Stock Market Timings
Investors can adopt different trading strategies based on the stock market timings. For example, for intraday trading time, traders usually trade during the opening hours of the stock market when the volatility is high. Swing traders, on the other hand, hold their positions for a few days to capture the price movements. Long-term investors, such as mutual funds, invest in stocks for the long term and do not bother much about short-term price fluctuations. Investors should adopt a trading strategy that suits their investment goals and risk appetite.
What are After Market Orders?
After-market orders allow investors to place buy or sell orders after regular trading hours or market close time. These orders are executed when the market opens the next day.
What is a Block Deal Session?
The block deal session is a special session on the stock exchange where large orders of a minimum quantity of shares or minimum value of transactions are executed at a single price. These deals are usually made to avoid fluctuations in the market.
Block Deal Session (NSE Timings):
Morning Window: This window shall operate between 08:45 AM to 09:00 AM
Afternoon Window: This window shall operate between 02:05 PM to 2:20 PM
How to Invest in the Stock Market in India?
- Research and Choose Stocks Carefully: Understanding the fundamentals of the companies you’re interested in, including their financial performance, management team, and growth prospects, is crucial.
- Open a Demat and Trading Account: Once you have decided on the stocks you want to invest in, you need to open a Demat account, which is an account that holds your shares in electronic form.
- Choose a Broker: To buy and sell shares in the Indian stock market, you need to choose a stockbroker. There are many brokers to choose from, so it’s essential to do your research to find one that suits your needs.
- Decide Your Investment Strategy: Before you start investing, you need to decide on your investment strategy. This includes factors like how much money you want to invest, how long you want to hold your shares, and your risk tolerance.
- Monitor Your Investments: This includes keeping track of your portfolio’s performance, staying up-to-date with market news and trends, and making any necessary adjustments to your investment strategy.
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Tips for Trading During Share Market Time
Investors who want to trade during stock market opening time and closing time must be aware of the risks and opportunities associated with it. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Importance of Monitoring Market Timings: Investors must actively monitor the market timings of the exchanges they are interested in, in order to seize trading opportunities.
- Identifying Trading Opportunities During Market Timings: It is advisable to stay informed about economic news and events that may affect the stock market. Investors can identify potential trading opportunities by keeping an eye on the news and the NSE share market timings.
- Risks Associated with Trading During Share Market Time: Investors must acknowledge the risks of intraday trading during market hours, including market volatility and the potential for sudden price changes.
To Wrap It Up…
Investing in stocks can be a lucrative way to build wealth over time. However, it requires significant research and an understanding of the stock market’s fundamentals. Understanding stock market timings is one of the most critical aspects of investing in stocks. Now trade seamlessly, enjoy market trading, and practice commodity trading with stock market trading timings.
FAQs
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.
Unfortunately, you cannot buy shares on Sundays in most major stock markets, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq. These markets typically operate from Monday to Friday, with specific operating hours depending on the exchange.
Commodity market time depends on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (MCX). The morning share-buying time begins at 9:00 am and concludes at 5:00 pm, while the evening stock-buying time extends from 5:00 pm and closes at either 11:30 pm or 11:55 pm.
In India, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) are the primary exchanges. BSE’s equity trading spans from 3:45 pm. to 8:59 am, while NSE operates from 3:45 pm. to 8:57 am overnight.
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