Muhurat Trading 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, on the occasion of Diwali Laxmi Pujan. The special trading session will mark the beginning of Samvat 2083, the new Hindu financial year.
But this year’s session comes with an important change that equity traders need to understand before placing orders.
The introduction of the Closing Auction Session (CAS) has changed how certain stocks are traded near the market close. Stocks eligible for CAS will stop continuous trading at 3:15 PM, while other cash-market stocks will continue until 3:30 PM.
There is another important distinction: equity F&O contracts will continue trading until 3:40 PM.
Understanding these separate timings is essential, particularly for traders who deal in liquid large-cap stocks.
1. The New CAS Rule: What Has Changed?
The Closing Auction Session is a separate mechanism introduced by the NSE for selected cash-market securities.
In its first phase, CAS applies to stocks in the equity cash segment that have derivative contracts available.
Under the new arrangement, continuous trading in these stocks ends at 3:15 PM. The exchange then calculates a reference price and conducts a closing auction to determine the final closing price.
For Muhurat Trading 2026, the same mechanism applies to CAS-eligible stocks.
Here is how the timetable works:
- 2:20 PM–3:15 PM: Continuous trading in CAS-eligible stocks.
- 3:15 PM–3:20 PM: Transition and reference price calculation.
- 3:20 PM–3:30 PM: CAS order entry.
- 3:30 PM–3:35 PM: Order matching and trade confirmation.
The reference price is calculated using the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of trades executed between 3:00 PM and 3:15 PM.
During the auction, the exchange allows market and limit orders according to the applicable order-entry rules. The final two minutes of the order-entry period are subject to random closure.
Does This Mean F&O Trading Also Ends at 3:15 PM?
No. This is where many traders could misunderstand the new rule.
CAS applies to selected stocks in the cash-equity segment. It does not mean that their futures and options contracts automatically stop trading at 3:15 PM.
The equity derivatives segment has a separate trading schedule and will remain open until 3:40 PM during the Muhurat session.
Therefore, remember these three different closing times:
- CAS-eligible cash stocks: 3:15 PM for continuous trading.
- Non-CAS cash stocks: 3:30 PM.
- Equity F&O contracts: 3:40 PM.
This distinction is particularly important for traders who hold intraday positions in F&O-linked shares.
2. Muhurat Trading 2026: Complete Timetable
The following schedule covers the major NSE equity and derivatives sessions for November 8, 2026.
| Trading session | Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Block Deal Session | 1:50 PM–2:05 PM |
| Pre-open: Market and limit orders | 2:05 PM–2:10 PM |
| Pre-open: Limit orders only | 2:10 PM–2:15 PM |
| Pre-open matching | 2:15 PM–2:17 PM |
| Buffer period | 2:17 PM–2:20 PM |
| CAS stocks: Continuous trading | 2:20 PM–3:15 PM |
| Non-CAS stocks: Continuous trading | 2:20 PM–3:30 PM |
| CAS transition/reference price | 3:15 PM–3:20 PM |
| CAS order entry | 3:20 PM–3:30 PM |
| CAS order matching | 3:30 PM–3:35 PM |
| Equity F&O | 2:20 PM–3:40 PM |
| Currency and Commodity F&O | 2:20 PM–3:30 PM |
| Post-close session | 3:50 PM–4:00 PM |
Special Timings for IPO and Relisted Securities
IPO and relisted securities have a separate special pre-open session.
- Special pre-open order entry: 2:05 PM–2:50 PM.
- Continuous trading for these securities: 3:05 PM–3:30 PM.
The pre-open session may close randomly during its final minutes, as specified by the exchange.
Always check your broker’s trading terminal and the applicable exchange circular before placing an order.
3. What Do the Last 10 Years of Muhurat Trading Tell Us?
Muhurat Trading is traditionally considered an auspicious time to begin investing. Historical market data also shows that the Nifty 50 and Sensex have frequently ended the special session in positive territory.
However, the market has not delivered positive returns every year.
Here is how the Nifty 50 performed during the last ten completed Muhurat sessions:
| Year | Nifty 50 return |
|---|---|
| 2016 | -0.14% |
| 2017 | -0.63% |
| 2018 | +0.65% |
| 2019 | +0.37% |
| 2020 | +0.47% |
| 2021 | +0.49% |
| 2022 | +0.87% |
| 2023 | +0.51% |
| 2024 | +0.40% |
| 2025 | +0.10% |
The pattern is interesting.
Both the Nifty 50 and Sensex finished higher than their previous regular-session closing levels in eight of these ten years.
The strongest Nifty performance in this period came in 2022, when it gained approximately 0.87%.
But the gains have generally been modest in recent years.
In 2023, the Nifty gained 0.51%, followed by 0.40% in 2024 and only 0.10% in 2025.
The Sensex also gained just 0.07% in the 2025 Muhurat session.
Why the 2025 Muhurat Session Is Interesting
There is an important detail behind the 2025 market performance.
The Nifty 50 opened at 25,901.20 and closed at 25,868.60 during the special session.
That means the index actually declined from its opening level.
Yet, it finished approximately 0.10% above the previous regular trading session’s closing level.
These are two different calculations:
- Previous-close return: The difference between the Muhurat closing price and the previous regular-session closing price.
- Open-to-close movement: The difference between the Muhurat session’s opening and closing prices.
Investors should not confuse the two when reading historical Muhurat returns.
4. The Market Is Still Below Last Diwali, But the Latest Rally Matters
The broader market performance provides another important perspective for Muhurat Trading 2026.
During Muhurat Trading 2025, the Sensex closed at approximately 84,426, while the Nifty 50 closed at 25,868.60.
By November 6, 2026, the indices had recovered to:
- Sensex: 81,028.02.
- Nifty 50: 25,030.35.
Compared with their previous Muhurat closing levels:
- Sensex remained approximately 4.02% lower.
- Nifty 50 remained approximately 3.24% lower.
However, the market’s recent recovery is equally important.
During the week ending November 6, the Sensex gained approximately 8.8%, while the Nifty 50 advanced approximately 8.6%.
According to Reuters, these were the strongest weekly advances for the two benchmark indices since February 2021.
This means the market entered Muhurat Trading 2026 after a significant recovery, rather than continuing the sharp decline seen during the October correction.
The lesson for investors is simple: historical prices should always be compared using the latest available closing data, not an outdated market low.
5. What Should Investors and Traders Do on Muhurat Trading Day?
The special trading session is an opportunity to participate in a long-standing market tradition. But investors should distinguish between symbolic investing and short-term trading.
For Long-Term Investors
If you are investing for five or ten years, the Muhurat session itself should not determine your investment decisions.
Consider the following:
- Review your existing asset allocation.
- Check whether your portfolio is overly concentrated in one sector.
- Prefer fundamentally strong companies over stocks selected purely because of the occasion.
- Consider an index fund if you want broad market exposure.
- Invest according to your financial goals and risk tolerance.
There is no guarantee that a stock purchased during Muhurat Trading will generate positive returns over the following year.
For Intraday Traders
CAS timings deserve particular attention.
If you are trading CAS-eligible stocks in the cash market, continuous trading ends at 3:15 PM.
Do not assume that you can continue placing ordinary continuous-market trades until 3:30 PM.
If you trade equity F&O, remember that the derivatives session continues until 3:40 PM.
Also, brokers may square off intraday positions before the exchange’s official closing time. Check your broker’s specific auto-square-off rules.
For New Investors
If you are buying shares for the first time during Muhurat Trading, do not rush into a trade simply because the session is considered auspicious.
Understand the company, valuation, business performance and risks before investing.
The occasion may be symbolic, but the money you invest is real.
6. Does Muhurat Trading Predict the Next Samvat Year’s Returns?
This is one of the most common questions investors ask.
A positive Muhurat session does not guarantee a positive market year.
Similarly, a negative Muhurat session does not mean the market will decline throughout the following year.
The historical data measures only the market’s performance during the special trading session. It does not establish a reliable relationship between that day’s return and the following twelve months of market performance.
For investors, long-term fundamentals, earnings growth, valuations, interest rates and economic conditions are much more important.
The Bottom Line
Muhurat Trading 2026 brings a significant technical change for equity-market participants.
The new CAS mechanism creates different closing times for selected cash-market stocks, while equity derivatives continue trading until 3:40 PM.
The historical record shows that Muhurat sessions have frequently ended positively, but the gains have generally been small. The latest market recovery also provides a more accurate picture than the sharp October correction alone.
Participate in the tradition if you wish, but understand the trading rules, avoid impulsive decisions and remember that an auspicious market session is not a substitute for a sound investment strategy.
FAQ
Q1: When is Muhurat Trading 2026?
Muhurat Trading 2026 will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, on the occasion of Diwali Laxmi Pujan. It marks the beginning of Samvat 2083.
Q2: What are the Muhurat Trading 2026 timings?
The pre-open session runs from 2:05 PM to 2:20 PM. Continuous trading starts at 2:20 PM. CAS-eligible stocks stop continuous trading at 3:15 PM, non-CAS stocks continue until 3:30 PM, and equity F&O trading continues until 3:40 PM.
Q3: What is the new CAS rule?
The Closing Auction Session applies to selected cash-market stocks that have derivative contracts. Continuous trading in these stocks ends at 3:15 PM, followed by a separate auction process that determines their closing prices.
Q4: Does F&O trading also close at 3:15 PM?
No. The 3:15 PM cutoff applies to continuous trading in CAS-eligible cash-market stocks. Equity futures and options contracts continue trading until 3:40 PM.
Q5: Has Muhurat Trading historically been profitable?
The Nifty 50 and Sensex finished above their previous regular-session closing levels in eight of the ten Muhurat sessions between 2016 and 2025. However, these short-session returns do not guarantee future investment performance.
Q6: What is Samvat 2083?
Samvat 2083 is the Hindu financial year beginning with Diwali 2026. Muhurat Trading marks the traditional start of the new Samvat year.
Q7: Is Muhurat Trading suitable for beginners?
Beginners can participate, but they should understand order types, trading timings, brokerage charges and investment risks. A symbolic purchase should never replace proper financial research.
Editorial Note: Trading schedules and historical performance figures are based on information available as of November 7, 2026. Market returns are measured against the previous regular-session closing levels unless otherwise specified. This article is for educational purposes and is not investment advice.
