Every Diwali, India's stock exchanges open for a special one-hour session called Muhurat trading. It marks the start of the new Hindu financial year, and many investors place a small "token" trade believing it brings prosperity for the year ahead. In 2026, Muhurat trading will be held on Sunday, November 8, the day of Lakshmi Puja, ushering in Vikram Samvat 2083.
Muhurat trading 2026 at a glance
- Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026 (Diwali Lakshmi Puja)
- Exchanges: NSE and BSE
- New year: Samvat 2083 begins
- Timings: to be confirmed by exchange circulars, usually issued a couple of weeks before Diwali
- Segments: equity, equity derivatives, currency derivatives and others as notified
Apart from this session, markets are normally closed for Diwali Lakshmi Puja. Check the NSE or BSE websites or your broker's app for the final schedule.
What time will the session be?
Muhurat timings change every year based on the auspicious window chosen by the exchanges. For reference:
- 2025 (October 21): trading window 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM, with a pre-open session from 1:30 PM. This was the first afternoon session in years.
- 2024 (November 1): 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- 2023 (November 12): pre-open 6:00 to 6:08 PM, trading 6:15 to 7:15 PM
The session typically includes a short block-deal window, a pre-open session, about an hour of normal trading, a call auction for illiquid stocks and a brief closing session. Confirm the 2026 timings in the official exchange circular.
Why Muhurat trading exists
For many trading communities, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan, Diwali marks the start of a new accounting year. Traders traditionally perform Chopda Pujan, worshipping new account books, and make their first transactions of the year at an auspicious time, or muhurat. BSE has held a symbolic Muhurat session since the 1950s, and NSE adopted the practice after it began operations.
Do trades settle normally?
Yes. Trades executed during Muhurat trading are real trades and follow the normal settlement cycle. If you buy shares, you will need to pay for them, and intraday positions not squared off by the end of the session are converted to delivery as per your broker's rules. Brokerage, taxes and charges apply as usual.
How have markets performed?
Muhurat sessions are known for their festive mood rather than big moves. Indices have often ended the session modestly higher, but the gains are usually small and volumes are much thinner than on a normal day. Thin volumes can also mean wider spreads and sudden price swings in less liquid stocks. Past Muhurat performance says nothing reliable about how the market will do over the following year.
How to approach Muhurat trading
- Keep it symbolic: a small purchase of a quality stock, ETF or mutual fund you already planned to buy is the classic approach.
- Avoid speculation: don't take large leveraged or F&O positions just because it is an "auspicious" hour.
- Use limit orders: low liquidity can lead to poor fills on market orders.
- Stick to your plan: use the occasion to review your portfolio, rebalance and set goals for the year.
- Be wary of "Diwali picks" hype: brokerage stock lists are a starting point for research, not a buy signal.
Market backdrop heading into Samvat 2083
Indian markets head into Diwali after a strong week for IT stocks, while global investors are weighing worries about AI spending and high oil prices. For the latest context, read our weekly Indian market analysis and our report on the Wall Street AI sell-off.
This article is for information only and is not investment advice. Please consult a SEBI-registered adviser before investing.
Sources
NSE and BSE holiday calendars; Jainam (2026 date); Bajaj Finserv AMC (2024-25 timings); AlgoTest (2023 timings).
