Stock market investors must know the market opening and closing hours to ensure smooth and timely transactions.
If you are investing in the stock market, you should know all about the share market open and close time. Share market opening time and share market closing time vary for different indices and different countries in different time zones. Stock markets are open on all weekdays, except on certain holidays. If an investor does not know the share market timings, it is not possible to make use of stock movements in the market and make money.
Now we will look at the stock market open time and stock market close time for the two leading indices in India BSE and NSE.
Share market timings for BSE and NSE: The markets start with a pre-open session.
The pre-open session is for 15 minutes. This session constitutes the order entry period and the order matching period.
This session is divided into three sub-sessions.
9.00 am -9.08 am: This is known as the order entry session. During this period you are allowed to place an order to buy and sell stocks. You can also modify your order or cancel your order during this time.
9.08 am-9.12 am: This session is used for matching orders. It is also used to calculate the opening price of the regular session. Investors are not allowed to modify or cancel their orders during this period; neither can they buy or sell.
9.12 am to 9.15 am: This session is used as the buffer period for a seamless transition of the pre-opening session to the regular session.
Continuous trading session: When it comes to share market timings, this is the trading session when most of the buying and selling takes place. So, this is the primary share market trading time. The continuous trading session is from 9.15 am to 3.30 pm. During this period trades are continuous as orders match at time/price priority. Whenever the buying price is equal to the selling price, the transaction is complete.
Here are a few things to understand when it comes to this session.
- The closing price of the stock is calculated as the weighted average of the prices of stocks between 3.00-3.30 pm.
- For BSE and NSE, the closing price is calculated as a weighted average of the stocks in the index for the last 30 minutes or the period between 3.00 pm to 3.30 pm.
Post-closing session: This session is between 3.40 pm and 4.00 pm.
Investors are allowed to buy or sell stocks in this session at the closing price. If buyers or sellers are available, your trade is confirmed at the closing price.
Block deal timings: A separate trading window is available to facilitate the execution of large trades.
The morning block deal window is from 8.45 am to 9 am.
The afternoon block deal window is open from 2.05 to 2.20 pm.
We have now seen the share market timings; you can now make the most out of your investments in the stock market.
See the following table of stock market timing for clarification.
| Market Segment | Opening Time | Closing Time |
| Pre-Open Session | 9:00 AM | 9:15 AM |
| Normal Trading Session | 9:15 AM | 3:30 PM |
| Closing Session | 3:30 PM | 3:40 PM |
Please note that this table represents the regular trading hours for the Indian stock market, which are subject to change due to holidays, special trading sessions, or other factors. It’s always a good practice to verify the current trading hours with the relevant stock exchange or your brokerage.
Aftermarket Orders
Aftermarket orders, also known as After-Hours orders or Off-Hours orders, are buy or sell orders placed on the Indian stock market outside of regular trading hours. In India, the regular trading hours for most stock exchanges are typically from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on business days. Aftermarket orders allow investors to trade securities when the stock markets are closed.
Muhurat Trading
Muhurat trading is a special and auspicious trading session that takes place on the occasion of Diwali. It is a significant event for all participants in the stock market. Traders would do customary trading to mark the beginning of a prosperous new year. Muhurat trading is typically conducted in the evening and lasts for about an hour.
FAQs
What are the regular trading hours for the Indian stock market?
The regular trading hours for most stock exchanges in India are from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM on business days, with a pre-opening session from 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM.
Can you trade before and after the regular market hours?
Yes, there are extended trading hours known as the pre-market and post-market sessions. The pre-market session usually starts at 9:00 AM, and the post-market session occurs from 3:40 PM to 4:00 PM.
Is the stock market open on weekends?
No, the Indian stock market is typically closed on Saturdays and Sundays. It follows a 5-day trading week.
Do all stocks trade during the extended trading hours?
No, not all stocks are available for trading during extended hours. Only specific stocks that meet exchange criteria may be traded during these sessions.
What is the best time to buy shares?
Traders prefer the first hour after the market opens to take positions because the market stays most volatile during this phase. Usually, volatility drops after 90 minutes of the market opening.
