Diwali Muhurat Trading 2026 Timings: Why Brokers Want A 2:20-3:20 PM Slot And What The Proposed Schedule Means For Investors

Muhurat Trading 2026 could be held in the afternoon for a second consecutive year as brokers and market participants press exchanges to adopt last year’s schedule. The proposal is under consideration, and the final timings have not yet been announced. Diwali falls on 8 November 2026.

The proposed schedule would place the special trading session between 2:20 pm and 3:20 pm. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) have yet to issue official circulars confirming the timings.

Why Brokers Want Afternoon Muhurat Trading

Brokers submitted their proposal through the Brokers’ Industry Standards Forum (BISF). The suggested trading window falls within the auspicious Diwali period of 1:47 pm to 3:12 pm. The proposed schedule includes a block deal window from 1:50 pm to 2:05 pm, followed by a pre-open session from 2:05 pm to 2:20 pm.

The Association of NSE Members of India (ANMI) has also backed an afternoon session, citing tradition, inclusivity and work-life balance. Brokers say the earlier timing would allow employees at brokerage firms, exchanges, clearing corporations, depositories, banks and other market intermediaries to finish their duties before the evening celebrations.

What Could Change In The Muhurat Trading 2026 Schedule?

Brokers have also proposed moving certain post-trade compliance requirements to the next trading day. These include early pay-in of securities and fund allocations. Other suggestions include waiving penalties for peak margin shortages arising in this context and allowing end-of-day (EOD) allocations to be completed before 9 am the following trading day.

The afternoon schedule was used last year, with Muhurat Trading held from 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm instead of the traditional evening slot. The exchanges generally consult each other before finalising trading schedules and holidays, so the proposed Muhurat Trading timings remain subject to confirmation.

What Is Muhurat Trading?

Muhurat Trading is an annual stock market tradition held on Diwali, when investors participate in a special session as a symbolic gesture of wealth and prosperity associated with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi.

The session also marks the beginning of the new financial year under the Vikram Samvat calendar.

BSE introduced the tradition in 1957. The session has typically taken place in the evening, but its timing was moved to the afternoon in 2025.

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