The Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE) has announced that it will remain open for live trading on February 1, 2026, even though the day falls on a Sunday. The move has been made due to the presentation of Union Budget 2026, a key event that often leads to heightened market activity and volatility.
The decision brings MSE in line with India’s larger exchanges, which have also confirmed trading operations on Budget day to allow investors to react to policy announcements in real time.
MSE will follow its regular market schedule on February 1. The pre-open session will run from 9:00 am to 9:08 am, followed by normal market trading from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm. These timings are the same as those followed by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), ensuring a consistent trading experience across platforms.
Earlier, both NSE and BSE had already informed market participants that their exchanges would remain open on Budget day, which traditionally sees strong trading volumes and sharp price movements.
Apart from the Budget day announcement, MSE is also preparing to restart live trading operations from January 27. The exchange plans to begin with trading in around 130 stocks. This marks an important step in MSE’s efforts to re-establish itself as an active player in India’s equity market ecosystem.
Clearing and settlement for trades executed on MSE will be handled by its subsidiary, the Metropolitan Clearing Corporation of India (MCCIL), which is responsible for ensuring smooth post-trade operations and risk management.
Liquidity remains one of the biggest challenges for any new or returning stock exchange. To address this issue, MSE has planned a liquidity enhancement programme. Under this scheme, market makers will be appointed to provide liquidity support for approximately 130 stocks. The aim is to improve trading volumes, reduce bid-ask spreads and ensure better price discovery during the initial phase of operations.
MSE has raised ₹1,240 crore in two tranches during December 2024 and August 2025. The fundraising exercise saw participation from major brokerage firms such as Groww and Zerodha, providing the exchange with financial backing to support its revival plans.
Despite this, competition remains intense. NSE continues to dominate India’s equity markets, holding around 90–92 per cent share in the cash segment. BSE accounts for roughly 8–10 per cent. In the futures and options segment, NSE’s share is close to 95 per cent, while BSE holds about 5 per cent. In index derivatives, NSE commands nearly 80 per cent share, with BSE at around 20 per cent.
MSE’s decision to operate on Budget day and its plan to restart live trading later in January highlight renewed efforts to strengthen its market presence. While liquidity support measures and fresh capital provide a solid base, gaining meaningful traction in a market dominated by NSE and BSE will remain a key challenge in the near term.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Jan 21, 2026, 12:27 PM IST
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