The stock market in India operates five days a week, from Monday to Friday except Saturdays and Sundays and holidays declared by the Exchange in advance. You can also check out the holiday list of the stock exchange.
Indian Stock Market Timings
Both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) follow the same trading timings. The regular trading hours for the Indian stock market are from 9:15 AM to 03:30 PM, Monday to Friday. During this time period, you can buy or sell your stocks listed on either NSE or BSE exchange.
It is important to note that the timing for the commodity market differs from that of the equity market. The commodity market operates for longer hours, providing you with extended trading opportunities.
Indian Stock Market Timings with Three Trading Sessions
The trading timings of the Indian stock market are divided into three sessions:
- Pre-opening Session
- Normal Session
- Post-closing Session
Quick overview of the Indian stock market timings:
| Market Sessions | Indian Stock Market Timings |
| Pre-opening Session | 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM |
| Normal Session | 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM |
| Post-closing Session | 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM |
#1. Pre-Opening Session
The pre open market session starts from 9.00 a.m. to 9.15 a.m. You can place your orders to purchase or sell securities during this time.
The pre open market session can be divided into three sessions:
A. 9:00 AM and 9:08 AM (Order Entry Session)
During this session, which lasts for 8 minutes, you can place pre-market orders in the equity segment for both NSE and BSE. You can also modify or cancel the pre-market order before 9:08 AM.
However, it’s important to note that you cannot modify or cancel your order between 9:08 AM and 9:15 AM.
You may like to read World stock market timings per Indian standard time (IST).
B. 9:08 AM to 9:12 AM (Order Matching Session)
During this session, the Indian stock market matches the order and determines the opening price of the Normal session.
The exchange matches the buy and sell orders received during the order entry session to determine the equilibrium price at which maximum orders can be executed. This price becomes the opening price for the Normal session.
It’s important to note that during this session, you cannot modify or cancel your buy or sell orders. The purpose is to establish a fair opening price based on the demand and supply of the stocks.
C. 9:12 AM to 9:15 AM (Buffer Period)
This time for a smooth transition from the pre-opening session to the normal session. This short duration of 3 minutes ensures that all systems and processes are ready for the start of the normal trading session.
If you have a Zerodha account, you can also place pre market orders in Zerodha kite.
#2. Normal Trading Session
The normal trading session is the primary and most active phase of the stock market timings in India. It starts at 9:15 AM and ends at 3:30 PM. During this session, you can actively participate in the market and execute your buy and sell orders.
The trading is based on bilateral matching, where transactions occur when the buying and selling prices match.
This session plays a crucial role in price discovery and market functioning. Traders and investors closely monitor market movements during this period as it can be volatile.
#3. Post-closing Session
The stock market in India closes at 3:30 PM, after which no further trading takes place. However, during this time, the closing price of stocks is determined, which plays a crucial role in setting the opening prices for the next trading day.
The stock market closing time can be divided into two sessions, indicating the transition from active trading to the determination of closing prices.
A. 3:30 PM to 3:40 PM
The closing price is calculated by taking a weighted average of the prices of securities traded between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM on the stock exchange.
This weighted average is particularly important for benchmark indices like Nifty, Sensex, and S&P Auto, as it influences the opening price of securities on the following trading day.
B. 3:40 PM to 4:00 PM
During this 20 minutes post-closing session, you can place bids for the following day’s trading. These bids are subject to confirmation, depending on the presence of sufficient buyers and sellers in the market.
The transactions executed during this session are completed at a predetermined price, regardless of any changes in the opening market price.
This session allows you to potentially realize capital gains if the opening price of a security exceeds the closing price, as they have already placed their bids at a lower price.
Conversely, if the closing price is higher than the opening share price, you can cancel your bids within the brief window of 9:00 a.m. to 9:08 a.m.
This post-closing session provides a limited opportunity for you to adjust your positions based on overnight market developments before the next trading day begins.
You can also go through the forex trading timing in India with different time zones across the globe.
#4. After-Market Orders (AMO)
After Market Order allows you to participate in the stock market even when the exchanges are closed. With AMO, you can place orders to buy or sell securities after the market closes and before it opens the next day.
These orders are stored by the broker and automatically sent to the exchange for execution once the regular trading session begins.
You can place the AMO orders between these times:
| Segment | Timings |
| Equity | NSE – 3:45 PM to 8:57 AM |
| BSE – 3:45 PM to 8:59 AM | |
| Currency | 3:45 PM to 8:59 AM |
| F&O | 3:45 PM to 9:10 AM |
| MCX | Anytime during the day. If an order is placed during market hours, it will be executed on the next day at 9 AM. |
Muhurat Trading Session
Muhurat trading is a special trading session conducted on the auspicious occasion of Diwali in the Indian stock market. It is a symbolic ritual where traders and investors perform traditional ceremonies before commencing trading.
Muhurat trading typically takes place in the evening for a short duration, usually around one hour. It is believed to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year.
Last year, on October 24, 2022, the Muhurat Trading session lasted for one hour from 6.15 p.m. to 7.15 p.m to invest in the Indian stock market.
MCX Commodity Trading Timings 2023
The commodity trading timings for MCX and NCDEX commodity exchange are:
- MCX Timings: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM /11:55 PM
- Morning Session Timing: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Evening Session Timing: 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM /11:55 PM
The trading timings for the evening session are revised twice a year to comply with the US daylight saving.
- In summer, the closing time is 11:30 PM IST
- In winter it’s 11:55 PM IST
| Segments | Trading Time Hour |
| Internationally Referenceable Non-Agri Commodities such as Bullions, Metals, and Energy products | 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (March to November) 9:00 AM to 11:55 PM (November to March) |
| Internationally Referenceable Agri Commodities | 09.00 AM to 09.00 PM / 09.30 PM |
| Agri Commodities | 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM |
Go through the product list of MCX commodities to understand the diversity of commodities available for trading.
FAQs
The trading timings for MCX commodities are –
- Internationally referenceable non-agri commodities trade from 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (March to November) and 9:00 AM to 11:55 PM (November to March).
- Internationally referenceable agri commodities trade from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM / 9:30 PM.
- Agri commodities trade from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Muhurat Trading is a special trading session conducted on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. It is a short session, usually lasting around one hour in the evening, believed to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year.
The timings for placing AMO orders vary depending on the segment.
- For equity, it is between 3:45 PM to 8:57 AM for NSE and 3:45 PM to 8:59 AM for BSE.
- Currency AMO orders can be placed from 3:45 PM to 8:59 AM
- F&O AMO orders can be placed from 3:45 PM to 9:10 AM.
After-Market Orders (AMO) allow you to place orders to buy or sell securities after the market closes and before it opens the next day. These orders are executed once the regular trading session begins.
Yes, you can place bids for the following day’s trading during the post-closing session, which lasts from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM. These bids are subject to confirmation based on the availability of buyers and sellers.
The closing price is calculated using a weighted average of prices from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM. This price is crucial for determining the opening prices of securities on the next trading day.
You can modify or cancel your orders in the pre-opening session before 9:08 AM. However, between 9:08 AM and 9:15 AM, modifications or cancellations are not allowed.
Yes, you can place orders during the pre-opening session, which starts at 9:00 AM and lasts until 9:15 AM. However, you can place, modify or cancel orders before 9:08 AM.
The regular trading hours for the Indian stock market are from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
The Indian stock market timing is divided into three trading sessions:
- Pre-opening Session – 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM
- Normal Session – 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM
- Post-closing Session – 3:30 AM to 4:00 PM
