Key points
- Muhurat trading 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November, marking the start of Samvat 2083.
- This year’s session is in the afternoon, not the usual evening. Normal trading begins at 2:20 PM IST across segments.
- On BSE, the currency derivatives segment trades continuously from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM. NSE currency timings: 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM
- All trades create real settlement obligations. Expect thin liquidity, because global forex markets are closed on Sunday afternoon in India.
What is Muhurat trading?
Muhurat trading is a short, special session that NSE and BSE hold on Diwali Laxmi Pujan. It marks the start of the new Hindu financial year, or Samvat, and many investors place small, symbolic trades as an auspicious start. In 2026, the day falls on a Sunday, so the exchanges are breaking their usual weekend closure for this one session.
What’s new in 2026: The session moves to the afternoon instead of the usual evening slot. In 2024, for example, normal trading ran from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Muhurat trading 2026 timings by segment
| Segment | Exchange | Timings (IST), Sunday 8 November | Circular |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency derivatives | BSE | Log-in 1:15–2:20 PM; continuous trading 2:20–3:30 PM | BSE, 19 Oct 2026 |
| Currency derivatives | NSE | Opens 2:20 PM; close 3:30 PM | NSE CDS circular |
| Equity (cash) | NSE and BSE | Pre-open 2:05–2:20 PM; trading 2:20 PM; CAS securities close 3:15 PM; non-CAS close 3:30 PM | NSE/CMTR/76941 |
| Equity F&O | NSE | Continuous trading 2:20–3:40 PM | NSE/FAOP/76940 |
| Commodity derivatives | NSE | 2:20–3:30 PM | NSE/COM/76978 |
| Corporate bonds | NSE | 2:05–3:00 PM | NSE/DS/77072 |
Other equity sessions: block deals run 1:50–2:05 PM, and trade modifications are allowed until 4:15 PM. Per NSE’s capital market circular.
Why it matters for currency traders
Global forex markets are closed. The international forex market reopens on Sunday evening with Asia-Pacific trading, which starts early on Monday morning in IST. During the Muhurat session on Sunday afternoon in India, there is no live global price discovery for the dollar, euro, pound or yen. Use our Forex Market Hours tool to see which global sessions are open at any time.
Expect thin liquidity and wider spreads. With only about an hour of trading and fewer participants, currency futures and options may see wide bid-ask spreads and sudden price jumps. Most participants trade symbolic quantities.
No RBI reference rate on Sunday. The RBI publishes its reference rate on business days, and it is used to settle expiring contracts. How Muhurat trades in currency futures are marked to market and settled is set out in the exchange circulars.
Settlement obligations are real. The exchanges state that all trades executed in the Muhurat session result in settlement obligations. Positions opened on Sunday carry into Monday’s regular session.
Market backdrop going into Diwali
- USD/INR: The rupee ended October near 94.93 per dollar, about 1.2% stronger on the month, after nearing 97 earlier in October.
- Busy week before Diwali: The US midterm results arrive on 4 November, the Bank of England decides on 5 November, and the US October jobs report comes out on Friday, 6 November, at 19:00 IST. Any surprise from these could show up in Monday’s open rather than in the thin Sunday session.
- Gold: Gold fell below $3,900 on 30 October, its lowest in 2026, which affects Diwali gold buying and MCX gold prices.
Impact on Indian traders
Trading tips for the session:
- Use limit orders rather than market orders, to avoid poor fills in a thin market.
- Keep position sizes small. Muhurat trading is traditionally symbolic.
- Check your broker’s margin and position-limit cut-offs. NSE set a 3:40 PM cut-off for position limit and collateral set-up in the equity segment.
- Remember that positions carry into Monday, 9 November, when regular trading resumes.
Currency pairs on NSE and BSE: USD/INR, EUR/INR, GBP/INR and JPY/INR, plus EUR/USD, GBP/USD and USD/JPY. Trading forex with unauthorised offshore platforms is not permitted under FEMA.
Risk sentiment after the US midterms and jobs data can set the tone for Diwali week. Our Risk-On / Risk-Off Meter can help you gauge it.
What to watch around Diwali
| Date (IST) | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, 4 Nov | US midterm results; Eurozone flash inflation (15:30) | Dollar and euro moves before Diwali |
| Thu, 5 Nov | Bank of England decision | GBP/INR |
| Fri, 6 Nov, 19:00 | US October jobs report | The last major data before Muhurat trading |
| Fri, 6 Nov (evening) | RBI forex reserves | Intervention signal |
| Sun, 8 Nov, 2:20–3:30 PM | Muhurat trading (currency, BSE; NSE ) | A symbolic, thin session |
| Mon, 9 Nov, 09:00 | Regular currency trading resumes | The first full session of Samvat 2083 |
| Tue, 10 Nov | Diwali Balipratipada | Possible market closure |
Track all release times on our Economic Calendar, and find more coverage in Market Analysis & News.
FAQs
When is Muhurat trading in 2026?
On Sunday, 8 November 2026, Diwali Laxmi Pujan. Normal trading begins at 2:20 PM IST across segments.
Is the currency market open for Muhurat trading 2026?
Yes. BSE’s currency derivatives segment has continuous trading from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST, with log-in from 1:15 PM. NSE’s currency segment is also included in the Muhurat session.
Do Muhurat trades have to be settled?
Yes. All trades executed during the Muhurat session result in settlement obligations, just like trades on a regular day.
