Diwali muhurat trading 2026: date, timings and how it works
Muhurat trading is the short special session NSE and BSE hold on Diwali, at an auspicious time (muhurat) marking the start of the new Samvat year. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 8 November, the day of Lakshmi Pujan.
Muhurat trading 2026 timings
Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026 (Diwali, Lakshmi Pujan).
Pre-open session: from about 2:05 PM, with order matching before the main session.
Main session (equity): about 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST, on both NSE and BSE. Futures and options trade in a session of about the same length.
These times are from the exchanges' circulars as reported by brokers and the press. Check NSE's or BSE's circular, or your broker's app, for the exact minute-by-minute schedule before you trade.
Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (Diwali Balipratipada) is a trading holiday.
How the session works
It is a normal trading session, just short: the same order types, the same rules and the same charges. Trades settle normally, so shares bought are delivered and taxed like any other trade.
Many investors buy a few shares as a token for the new year (a tradition called shagun). Volumes are often light, which can make prices jumpy in thinly traded shares, so a limit order is safer than a market order.
IPOs around Diwali
Shares allotted in an IPO are credited to your demat account two working days after it closes, so shares from an IPO allotted before Diwali can be sold in the muhurat session if they have listed.
The holiday on 10 November is not a working day, so IPO allotment, refund and listing dates around Diwali move by a day. Each IPO's dates page on IPO Khata shows the actual dates.
Is muhurat trading lucky?
It is a tradition, not a signal. Past muhurat sessions have closed both up and down, and one hour of trading says little about the year ahead. Treat it as a celebration, not as investment advice; IPO Khata is a tracker, not an adviser.
Related guides
- The IPO T+3 timeline: what happens on each day after closing
- How an IPO share lists: the pre-open session
- Tax on IPO gains
More on gmp, listing day and tax
- What is IPO GMP? Full form, meaning and how to calculate it
- What happens on IPO listing day
- Kostak and subject-to-sauda, explained
- Selling or holding IPO shares on listing day: what to weigh
- How to sell IPO shares: listing day step by step
- Is the IPO grey market legal? What it is and the risks
See today’s IPOs with live GMP and subscription
Information, not investment advice. GMP is an unofficial grey-market indicator; figures come from public sources (InvestorGain) and may be late or wrong. Not registered with or affiliated to SEBI, the exchanges, the registrars or InvestorGain.