Muhurat trading 2026: Sunday 8 November, normal trading from 2:20 p.m.
NSE will hold its Diwali Muhurat trading session on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Two NSE circulars dated 19 October 2026 set the timings: one for equities (the cash market) and one for futures and options. The two timetables are different, so we show them separately.
Published 4 November 2026 · Potoos Research Services
The short answer. Muhurat trading 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. In equities, pre-open order entry runs from 2:05 p.m., normal trading opens at 2:20 p.m. and closes at 3:15 p.m. for stocks in the closing auction and 3:30 p.m. for the rest. In futures and options, normal trading runs from 2:20 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. NSE says all trades in this session “shall result in settlement obligations”. They are real trades.
Equities (cash market) timings
From NSE circular NSE/CMTR/76941, dated 19 October 2026. The circular gives times in 24-hour form (for example, 14:20); we show them as p.m. times.
| Time on 8 Nov | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1:50 to 2:05 p.m. | Block deal session |
| 2:05 to 2:10 p.m. | Pre-open order entry. Limit and market orders can be placed, changed or cancelled |
| 2:10 to 2:15 p.m. | Pre-open, limit orders only. Market orders cannot be changed or cancelled. Order entry closes at a random moment in the last 2 minutes |
| 2:15 to 2:17 p.m. | Pre-open order matching and trade confirmation |
| 2:17 to 2:20 p.m. | Pre-open buffer period |
| 2:20 p.m. | Normal market (continuous trading) opens |
| 3:15 p.m. | Normal market closes for securities that go into the Closing Auction Session (CAS) |
| 3:15 to 3:20 p.m. | Reference price calculation and move to the closing auction |
| 3:20 to 3:25 p.m. | Closing auction order entry, limit and market orders |
| 3:25 to 3:30 p.m. | Closing auction, limit orders only. Order entry closes at a random moment in the last 2 minutes |
| 3:30 p.m. | Normal market closes for securities that are not in the closing auction |
| 3:30 to 3:35 p.m. | Closing auction order matching and trade confirmation |
| 3:35 to 3:50 p.m. | Move from the closing auction to the post close session |
| 3:50 to 4:00 p.m. | Post close session |
| 2:20 to 4:15 p.m. | Trade modification window |
The same circular also lists a special pre-open session for IPO and relisted securities from 2:05 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. (closing at a random moment in the last 10 minutes), normal trading for those stocks from 3:05 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and a call auction session for illiquid stocks from 2:25 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.
Futures and options (F&O) timings
From NSE circular NSE/FAOP/76940, dated 19 October 2026.
| Time on 8 Nov | What happens |
|---|---|
| 2:05 to 2:10 p.m. | Pre-open order entry. Limit and market orders can be placed, changed or cancelled |
| 2:10 to 2:15 p.m. | Pre-open, limit orders only. Market orders cannot be changed or cancelled. Order entry closes at a random moment in the last 2 minutes |
| 2:15 to 2:17 p.m. | Pre-open order matching and trade confirmation |
| 2:17 to 2:20 p.m. | Pre-open buffer period |
| 2:20 to 3:40 p.m. | Normal market (continuous trading) |
| 3:15 p.m. | Stock and index futures price bands updated to line up with the closing auction in the cash market |
| 2:20 to 3:50 p.m. | Trade modification window |
Note the difference: F&O normal trading runs until 3:40 p.m., while equities close at 3:15 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. depending on the stock.
These are real trades
“All trades executed in this Diwali Muhurat trading session shall result in settlement obligations.”
NSE circulars NSE/CMTR/76941 (equities) and NSE/FAOP/76940 (F&O), 19 October 2026
A settlement obligation means a trade must be completed: the buyer pays, the seller delivers. A share you buy in the Muhurat session is a normal purchase, and a share you sell must be delivered.
NSE Clearing's circular NCL/CMPT/77037 (21 October 2026) sets the settlement for equity trades done on Sunday 8 November: settlement number 2026211 (types M, Z and B), settlement date Monday 9 November 2026, pay-in at 4:30 p.m. and pay-out at 9:00 p.m. that day. The same circular says several settlements are scheduled on 9 November because of the Muhurat session.
Your trading account must be “permitted to trade”
NSE circular NSE/ISC/77098 (26 October 2026) tells brokers that only client codes (UCCs) “identified as compliant by the Exchange by 22:00 hrs on Saturday, November 07, 2026” will be permitted to trade in the Muhurat session on Sunday, 8 November. If you are unsure whether your account details are complete with your broker, ask your broker before Saturday night.
The holiday after Muhurat trading
NSE's holiday list for 2026 for the capital market (equities) segment, circular NSE/CMTR/71775 dated 12 December 2025, lists Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (Diwali-Balipratipada) as a trading holiday. The same circular lists Sunday, 8 November 2026 (Diwali Laxmi Pujan) among holidays falling on a weekend, with a note that Muhurat trading will be held that day. This circular covers the equities segment. For other segments, check that segment's own NSE holiday circular.
What you can do now
- Note the day: Sunday, 8 November 2026. It is not a weekday session.
- Use the right timetable. Equities and F&O have different closing times.
- Remember that any order that executes is a real trade. Equity trades settle on Monday, 9 November.
- Check with your broker that your account is permitted to trade, before 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, 7 November.
- Plan for Tuesday, 10 November: NSE's equities holiday list shows it as a trading holiday.
New to options? Our option trading for beginners page explains lots, premium and expiry in plain words.
Muhurat trading is the special live trading session that NSE holds on Diwali. NSE's circular calls it “a special live trading session”.
Pre-open session is a short window before normal trading where orders are collected and matched to find an opening price.
Closing Auction Session (CAS) is a short session after normal trading in which buy and sell orders are collected and matched to set a stock's closing price. Only some stocks go through it.
Settlement is when the money and the shares actually change hands after a trade. Pay-in is when buyers' money and sellers' shares go in; pay-out is when they are passed on.
UCC (Unique Client Code) is the code your broker uses to register you with the exchange.
Sources
- NSE circular NSE/CMTR/76941, 19 October 2026, “Muhurat Trading session on account of Diwali” (capital market segment): PDF
- NSE circular NSE/FAOP/76940, 19 October 2026, “Muhurat Trading session on account of Diwali” (futures and options): PDF
- NSE circular NSE/ISC/77098, 26 October 2026, “Muhurat Trading Session on Account of Diwali” (permitted to trade): PDF
- NSE Clearing circular NCL/CMPT/77037, 21 October 2026, “Timings on Muhurat Trading session” (settlement): PDF
- NSE circular NSE/CMTR/71775, 12 December 2025, “Trading holidays for the calendar year 2026” (capital market segment): PDF
Common questions
When is Muhurat trading in 2026?
NSE's circulars of 19 October 2026 say the Muhurat trading session will be held on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
What are the equity Muhurat trading timings on NSE?
Under NSE/CMTR/76941, pre-open order entry runs from 2:05 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., normal trading opens at 2:20 p.m., and normal trading closes at 3:15 p.m. for closing auction securities and 3:30 p.m. for other securities. The closing auction runs from 3:20 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. and the post close session from 3:50 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What are the F&O Muhurat trading timings?
Under NSE/FAOP/76940, F&O pre-open order entry runs from 2:05 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and normal trading runs from 2:20 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. Trade modification is allowed until 3:50 p.m.
Are Muhurat trades real trades?
Yes. Both NSE circulars say: “All trades executed in this Diwali Muhurat trading session shall result in settlement obligations.” NSE Clearing has set Monday, 9 November 2026 as the settlement date for equity trades done on 8 November.
Is the market open on 10 November 2026?
NSE's 2026 holiday circular for the capital market (equities) segment, NSE/CMTR/71775, lists Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (Diwali-Balipratipada) as a trading holiday.
This page reports what NSE and NSE Clearing published. It is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security.