By SK Jabedul Haque | Published on CurrentAffair.Today | Markets
What is Muhurat Trading?
Muhurat Trading is a special 1-hour stock market session held on Diwali evening on NSE, BSE and MCX. It marks the beginning of the new Hindu calendar year (Samvat) and is considered an auspicious time to make new investments.
The tradition goes back nearly 150 years at BSE. Traders and investors participate not only for financial returns but as a symbolic act — just as families bring home new goods on Diwali, investors open new positions on this day as a blessing for the year ahead.
Muhurat Trading 2026: Confirmed Session Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Day | Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (Samvat 2083) |
| NSE Timing | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Expected — verify on nseindia.com) |
| BSE Timing | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Same as NSE) |
| MCX Timing: | 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Expected) |
| Duration | 1 hour only |
| Settlement | T+1 (next working day) |
Important: The official Muhurat Trading circular is issued by NSE and BSE 1–2 weeks before Diwali each year. Always verify the confirmed timing at nseindia.com or bseindia.com.
Full Session Schedule
| Session | Timing | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Block Deal Window | 5:30 PM - 5:45 PM | Bulk orders |
| Pre-Opening Session | 5:45 PM - 6:00 PM | Price discovery |
| Muhurat Trading | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Main trading session |
| Post-Closing | 7:00 PM - 7:15 PM | Settlement processing |
Best Stocks to Buy on Muhurat Trading
The right approach is to choose blue-chip, fundamentally strong stocks from Nifty 50 rather than chasing momentum or tips. Here are the sectors and names typically considered during Muhurat Trading:
1. Banking and Finance
HDFC Bank, SBI, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank — stable businesses with strong credit growth. Banking is considered the safest sector for long-term wealth creation in India.
2. IT and Technology
TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Tech Mahindra — strong global demand, dollar earnings, and consistent dividend history.
3. Auto Sector:
Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto — Diwali marks the peak of the festive vehicle-buying season, making auto stocks symbolically relevant.
4. FMCG
HUL, ITC, Nestle, Britannia — recession-resistant businesses with consistent demand regardless of economic cycles.
5. Infrastructure and Green Energy
With India's strong government push on infrastructure spending and renewable energy, this sector offers long-term growth potential.
| Stock | Sector | Why Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Reliance Industries | Conglomerate | Diversified business across energy, retail, telecom |
| HDFC Bank | Banking | India's largest private sector bank by assets |
| TCS | IT | Market leader with global client base |
| ITC | FMCG/Hotels | High dividend, multi-sector presence |
| Maruti Suzuki | Auto | Largest car manufacturer in India |
| Asian Paints | Paints | Direct beneficiary of housing boom |
| Bajaj Finance | NBFC | Consumer lending with strong growth |
Disclaimer: These are illustrative examples for educational purposes only — not investment recommendations. Always conduct your own research before investing.
How to Participate: Step-by-Step
Before Diwali (2–3 days before)
- Ensure your Demat and trading account is active and KYC is complete
- Add sufficient funds to your trading account
- Research and shortlist 1–3 stocks you want to buy
- Decide your budget — invest only what you can afford to hold long-term
On Diwali Evening
- Open your trading app by 5:30 PM — server load is high on Diwali evening
- Keep your internet connection stable (have a backup ready)
- Keep your phone charged and your watchlist ready
During the Session (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
- Login to your broker app or website
- Select your pre-decided stock
- Enter quantity and select Market Order (simplest for beginners)
- Review and confirm the order
- Download the confirmation for your records
After the Session
- Check your order confirmation within the app
- Shares will appear in your holdings on the next working day (T+1 settlement)
- Set a price alert and check quarterly — avoid obsessing over daily fluctuations
Intraday vs Delivery During Muhurat Trading
| Aspect | Intraday | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Hold Time | Must exit by 7:00 PM | Hold indefinitely |
| Capital Required | Margin-based | Full amount |
| Risk Level | Higher | Lower |
| Recommended for Muhurat | Not recommended | Recommended |
The spirit of Muhurat Trading is long-term investing, not short-term speculation. Delivery-based purchases align with the tradition better.
Sector Outlook for Samvat 2082:
| Sector | Outlook | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Banking | Positive | Strong credit growth |
| IT | Neutral to Positive | Moderate global demand |
| Auto | Positive | EV transition, festive demand |
| Real Estate | Positive | Rising housing demand |
| FMCG | Neutral | Rural demand recovery |
| Infrastructure | Highly Positive | Government capital expenditure |
| Green Energy | Positive | Policy push and global climate focus |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until 6 PM to log in — server traffic is heavy on Diwali evening. Log in by 5:30 PM.
- Following social media stock tips blindly — base your picks on research, not noise.
- Over-investing out of excitement — stick to your planned budget.
- Choosing penny stocks — Nifty 50 stocks are far safer for Muhurat trades.
- No exit plan — decide your stop-loss level before you invest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is Muhurat Trading?
A special 1-hour trading session on Diwali evening on NSE, BSE and MCX, marking the start of the new Hindu calendar year (Samvat). It is considered auspicious for new investments.
Q2: Can beginners participate?
Yes. Start small (₹500–₹5,000) and pick 1–2 Nifty 50 stocks you understand. Avoid intraday trading and stay away from penny stocks.
Q3: How is settlement handled?
Muhurat Trading follows the standard T+1 settlement. Shares are credited to your Demat account on the next working day after Diwali.
Q4: Is MCX also open during Muhurat?
Yes. Gold, silver and crude oil can be traded on MCX from approximately 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Commodity trading carries higher risk — beginners should stick to equities.
Q5: What if I don't square off my intraday position?
If you placed an intraday order and do not exit by 7:00 PM, your broker will auto-square off or convert it to delivery depending on your broker's settings. Always check with your broker before placing an intraday order.
Q6: Where do I find the official Muhurat Trading time?
NSE: nseindia.com | BSE: bseindia.com | SEBI: sebi.gov.in
Pre-Trading Checklist:
- ✅ Sufficient funds in trading account
- ✅ Watchlist prepared with shortlisted stocks
- ✅ Research completed on each stock
- ✅ Stable internet + mobile data backup
- ✅ Phone fully charged
- ✅ Trading app updated to latest version
- ✅ Investment budget finalised
- ✅ Logged in by 5:30 PM
Related Finance Guides
- How to Read Option Chain — OI, Support and Resistance explained
- What is T+0 Settlement? — SEBI's same-day settlement rule explained
- SIP Calculator — Plan your long-term mutual fund investments
- Personal Finance — Investment and savings guides for India
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. Stock market investments are subject to market risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before investing.