Stock Market Timings in India 2026 | NSE & BSE

In case you plan to invest or trade in Indian stocks, then the first thing you should know is the operating time of the market.

I have observed many beginners losing their chances of making profits just because they were not aware of the exact stock market timings in India. If you're new to trading, check out our stock market trading tips for beginners to get started on the right foot.

The present-day stock market timings are not arbitrary; they are established through a rigorous timetable by regulatory authorities such as SEBI and the stock exchanges like NSE and BSE.

Understanding these timings enables you to devise your trades more skillfully, mitigate confusion, and arrive at the most thoughtful decisions. Allow me to guide you through the stock market timings knowledge in a very simple and practical manner.

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Quick Summary Table

Here's everything at a glance:

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Stock Market Timings in India (Equity Segment)

The Indian stock market is open for trading from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM every day of the week Monday to Friday. That's the main time frame for buying and selling shares of listed companies at NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) markets.

According to my observation, the majority of beginner traders get perplexed as they think the market starts at 9:00 AM. But actually, this is the pre-opening session, and not the main trading window. The real stock market time for normal trading is 9:15 AM.

The market is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Therefore, if you are asking, "Is the stock market open on Saturday and Sunday?" the answer is negative. Trading is conducted only during weekdays unless it is a special session like Muhurat Trading, which is held during Diwali.

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Detailed Breakdown of Trading Sessions

Traders classify the day into a series of sessions, each designed for a specific purpose. I will discuss them one by one for your complete understanding.

Pre-Opening Session (9:00 AM - 9:15 AM)

This 15-minute window before the market that should officially open is most crucial for price discovery. Now it's divided into three parts:

Order Entry Period (9:00 AM - 9:08 AM)

You have these 8 minutes to execute, change, or reject your orders. Consider it the warming-up period where buyers and sellers show their will. No one makes a deal at this time; all just put forward their orders.

Order Matching Period (9:08 AM - 9:12 AM)

The system does the matching of buy and sell orders to fix the opening price between the hours of 9:08 AM and 9:12 AM. It is not possible, however, to make any changes or cancellations of orders in this period. The venue applies a specific algorithm to locate the fair price at which the highest volume of trades would take place.

Buffer Period (9:12 AM - 9:15 AM)

Orders made during this time get indexed and performed as soon as the usual trading session commences at 9:15 AM. I would say it works to avoid abrupt price movements at the opening of the market.

The complete pre-opening period is aimed at minimising the volatility and allowing fair price discovery. It stops the practice of manipulation and provides the market with a steady start.

Normal Trading Session (9:15 AM - 3:30 PM)

The main event is the NSE trading time today, when real buy and sell activities take place. Orders are executed non-stop for 6 hours and 15 minutes, with the execution order determined by price and time priority.

Let me explain how it works: A market order is placed by you, and it is executed right away at the best price available. A limit order is placed by you, and it waits in the order book until the price that you require is matched.

Most people have a hard time working out when to trade during this period. Let me clarify in simple terms. The market changes its character at different times about this, in a moment, under the "Best Time to Trade" section. Understanding what is intraday trading can help you make better decisions during these hours.

Post-Closing Session (3:30 PM - 4:00 PM)

The market doesn't close completely at 3:30 p.m. There's another 30-minute post-closing session that is divided into two parts.

Closing Price Calculation (3:30 PM - 3:40 PM)

The exchange determines the official closing price by taking the weighted average price of the last 30 minutes between 3:30 pm and 3:40 pm. The resulting closing price will serve as the reference for the circuit limits of the next day.

Post-Market Orders (3:40 PM - 4:00 PM)

From 3:40 PM to 4:00 PM, it is possible to place orders at the closing price. The trades occur at one price, which is the closing price set in the previous period. I think it is convenient when you need to come in or go out at the day's closing rate and you do not want to be concerned about the fluctuations in prices.

After Market Orders (AMO)

The AMO feature, or After Market Orders, is one of the most advantageous features that can positively impact the work routine of professionals. A common question is "Can I buy shares after 3.30 PM?" The reply is in the affirmative with the help of AMO.

AMO is the feature that lets you place orders when the exchange is not operating. The order can be placed anytime between 3:45 PM and 8:57 AM, but it will be executed when trading resumes.

When you have to work from 9 to 5, it is nearly impossible to spend the whole day just seeing the market. AMO comes to your rescue with its feature that allows you to place your orders after hours and have them executed right at the start of the next trading day.

It is important to note that the AMO orders are filled at market prices during the opening session, which can vary from the closing price of the previous day. Your order may or may not get executed at your anticipated price.

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Stock Market Timings for Other Segments

The stock market has so much more than just stocks. There is a variety of other segments, and each has its own hours of doing business.

Currency Derivatives

Trading in currency pairs, such as USD/INR or EUR/INR, the currency derivatives market is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This means the equity market is open for two more hours than the currency derivatives market.

The longer time period is an advantage since the currency markets are affected by global events that take place during the whole day. Learn about equity vs commodity to understand different market segments better.

Commodity Market

Commodity trading has the longest hours. Here's how it breaks down:

Morning Session: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (same as currency derivatives)

Evening Session: 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM (or 11:55 PM during US daylight saving time)

This evening session gives traders the opportunity to respond to global commodity price changes, particularly those coming from the international markets.

However, there is one significant matter to consider: Agricultural commodities such as wheat, soyabean and cotton are only traded during the morning session, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The evening session is set aside alone for the non-agricultural commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil.

Derivatives (F&O)

The trading of futures and options is done during the same hours as stocks, 9:15 AM-3:30 PM. The pre-opening, normal, and post-closing sessions are also the same as those for the stock market.

In my opinion, F&O traders need to be extra careful about the stock market closing time in India, as derivatives are time-sensitive and the last hour can be very volatile. Understanding options vs stocks helps you choose the right instrument. Additionally, knowing share market expiry days is crucial for F&O traders.

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Special Trading Timings

Apart from regular trading hours, there are certain occurrences that you should know about.

Muhurat Trading

Muhurat Trading is a one-hour trading session held on Diwali, which is symbolic and usually in the evening. The common market timings for Muhurat Trading are typically between 6:00 PM and 7:15 PM, but the specific time changes annually according to the auspicious muhurat.

A lot of investors think that it is a good omen to trade at this session. It is more cultural than strategic, but the market does function in this hour deemed special. Learn more about Diwali Muhurat trading timings for the exact schedule.

Block Deal Session

Block deals refer to a serious negotiation process carried out in private between the selling and buying parties, which results in the transaction of considerable quantities of shares. These transactions can take place during two timeframes:

Morning Window: 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM

Afternoon Window: 2:05 PM to 2:20 PM

The above-mentioned timings are deliberately set out of the normal trading hours so that regular market prices are not influenced by large transactions. Block deals are typically not participated in by retail investors these are mainly for institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. Understanding what are FII and DII helps you understand who participates in these deals.

IPO Listing

An IPO is a way for a company to raise capital by going public, and in this process, its stocks are not traded at 9:15 AM like the other stocks. The trading of the newly listed stocks begins at 10 AM on the day of listing.

The one-hour postponement allows the exchange to finalize the listing procedures and, at the same time, provides a gradual introduction of the new stock in the market. Learn more about what is IPO and how to increase IPO allotment chances if you're interested in public offerings.

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Stock Market Holidays

The stock market is inactive during weekends and public holidays. The market will remain closed on festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Independence Day, Republic Day, and other local holidays.

In India, can I trade on Saturday? No, the market is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

To find out if the stock market is open on a certain day, go to the official NSE or BSE website. They release the holiday calendar at the start of the year. I would suggest that you make it a bookmark because it will assist you in trading your stocks better. Check our complete NSE holidays guide for the full calendar.

If you are questioning "Is the stock market open tomorrow?" or "Is the Indian stock market open today?" just refer to the holiday calendar or your trading app, most of the apps provide very visible market status.

Best Time to Trade in the Indian Stock Market

Time is very important for every stock exchange on the planet. Because of this, traders should bear in mind the market timing in India today.

The most important factor that can make a significant difference in trading is the correct timing. Those timing strategies I have learned from other people.

First Hour (9:15 AM - 10:15 AM)

This is the time when volatility is at its peak. Price fluctuations are very high because sharp news, worldwide market changes, and pending orders all happen overnight. What is the stock trading 10 am rule?

It is a strategy that gives the inexperienced traders a whole hour to observe the market, while the pro traders just start timing their trades for the following hour when the market is calm.

In my view, beginners should take special precautions during this hour. There could be great chances, but at the same time, prices could easily go against you due to the volatility. Understanding India VIX helps you gauge market volatility levels.

Mid-Day (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

Our market usually shuts down during these hours. Volume drops, and price movements become less dramatic. If you're a conservative trader, this is a good time to make calculated moves without dealing with extreme volatility.

Last Hour (2:30 PM - 3:30 PM)

In the final hour of trading, there is a replay of increased activity. The large players in the market are allowed to play their game; consequently, day traders would be closing their trades just before the market closes.

In stocks, there is talk about the 90% rule; however, it is not an official rule. A certain group of traders thinks that 90% percent of the stock's daily movement occurs in the first and last hour of the trading day. Although it is not a constant truth, it does show that these times are very significant for the traders.

If you are seriously concerned about acquiring knowledge on market fluctuations and also making educated decisions, then tools like Dhanarthi stock screener can act as a great filter for stocks based on technical and fundamental parameters, particularly when the market is unstable.

Financial statement analysis is very critical for getting deeper insights into the company's performance. Personally, I have seen that the traders who use the timing aspect together with the sound fundamentals tend to win in the long run. Learn about fundamental analysis vs technical analysis to strengthen your trading approach.

The knowledge of the fundamentals of stock analysis will make it easier to avoid panic selling during times of volatility and remain true to your strategy. Understanding support and resistance in trading helps you identify key price levels.

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Conclusion

Understanding the timings of the stock market in India is the starting point of the confident trader or investor. The equity market works from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM, and there are also pre-opening, post-closing, and after-market order sessions.

Other segments like commodities and currency derivatives have longer trading hours; moreover, holidays like Muhurat Trading add cultural dimensions to the market. Regardless of whether you are inquiring about the stock market hours tomorrow or preparing for your first trade, being familiar with these time slots means you are always ready.

The market is closed on weekends and public holidays, so always check the calendar. If you are in a job, then AMO will be your best assistant for placing trades outside the regular hours of trading. Learn more about what is stockbroker to choose the right broker for placing AMO orders.

Build your knowledge from the ground up, grasp the market's flow, and soon you will be trading with confidence.

Disclaimer This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. Tax laws are subject to change, and individual circumstances vary. Please consult with a qualified chartered accountant or tax advisor for personalized guidance based on your specific situation.

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