Diwali Muhurat Trading Moves to Afternoon for the First Time in Decades

Mumbai, Oct 2025 : For the first time in decades, India’s stock exchanges have shifted the timing of the symbolic Diwali Muhurat Trading session. Today, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will hold the special trading event in the afternoon, from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., instead of the usual evening slot.

The Muhurat trading marks the beginning of the new Hindu financial year, Samvat 2082, and is traditionally viewed as an auspicious occasion that blends faith with finance. Traders and investors believe that executing trades during this period brings prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.

According to the schedule, both NSE and BSE will begin a pre-open session at 1:30 p.m., followed by the one-hour Muhurat trading session. All trades executed during this period will follow regular settlement rules, with standard delivery and payment obligations, just like on any ordinary trading day.

Commodity markets are also participating in the festive trading. The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will have a pre-open session from 1:30 p.m. to 1:44 p.m., followed by trading between 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Client code modifications will be permitted until 3:00 p.m. Similarly, the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) will conduct a pre-trade session from 1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., with Muhurat trading from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Following Diwali, trading schedules will adjust: on October 22, MCX will remain closed in the morning and reopen in the evening from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., while NCDEX will observe a full trading holiday. Normal operations will resume on October 23.

Muhurat trading is a long-standing Diwali tradition, first started by BSE in 1957 and later adopted by NSE in 1992. Historically, brokers would perform Chopda Pujan, worshipping account books to seek blessings for wealth and success in the coming year.

Market experts expect a positive and buoyant session this year, with indices likely to stay in the green, reflecting festive enthusiasm and strong investor sentiment. The afternoon schedule is seen as a step to accommodate modern trading hours while maintaining the tradition of Diwali Muhurat Trading.

This adjustment allows traders and investors to participate in the auspicious session comfortably, ensuring that the spirit of prosperity and financial optimism continues to shine during the festival of lights.