If you are new to investing, one of the first things you need to know is Indian stock market timings. Many beginners assume the market is open all day, like a shop. In reality, it works only during fixed hours.
Knowing the stock market open and close time in India helps you place orders correctly and avoid confusion. In this guide, we will clearly explain when the Indian stock market opens, when it closes, and how the day is divided into simple sessions.
Key Takeaways
- The Indian stock market opens at 9:15 AM and closes at 3:30 PM on weekdays.
- NSE and BSE follow the same trading schedule across India.
- Pre-opening and post-closing sessions exist but are not essential for beginners.
- Orders placed after market hours are executed the next trading day.
- Understanding timings helps avoid order execution confusion for new investors.
Indian Stock Market Opening and Closing Time (NSE & BSE)
In India, the two main stock exchanges are the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Both follow exactly the same trading timings across the country.
Regular trading hours:
- Market opens: 9:15 AM
- Market closes: 3:30 PM
- Days: Monday to Friday
- Time zone: Indian Standard Time (IST)
The market is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and exchange-declared holidays.
In practice, most buying and selling by retail investors happens between these two times.
Pre-Opening Session (9:00 AM – 9:15 AM)
Before the market officially opens, there is a short pre-opening session. This session exists mainly to decide the opening price of stocks in a fair way.
Timing: 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM
This 15-minute window is split into three parts:
- 9:00 – 9:08 AM: Orders can be placed, changed, or cancelled.
- 9:08 – 9:12 AM: The exchange matches buy and sell orders to calculate the opening price.
- 9:12 – 9:15 AM: Buffer time. No changes allowed.
Many beginners get confused here. In simple terms, this session helps avoid sudden price shocks when the market opens at 9:15 AM.
Normal Trading Session (9:15 AM – 3:30 PM)
This is the main market session where actual trading happens.
Timing: 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM
During this period:
- You can buy or sell shares freely
- Prices move live based on demand and supply
- Most intraday and delivery trades happen here
If you watch stock prices on an app or TV, this is the time when prices keep changing every second.
Market Closing and Post-Closing Session (3:30 PM – 4:00 PM)
The market stops live trading at 3:30 PM, but the day does not end immediately.
3:30 PM – 3:40 PM: Closing Price Calculation
- No new trades are allowed
- The exchange calculates the final closing price
- This price is important for charts, reports, and the next day’s reference
3:40 PM – 4:00 PM: Post-Closing Session
- Only market orders can be placed
- Trades happen at the day’s closing price
- Activity is usually low
For most beginners, this session is not very useful. Regular trading hours are usually enough.
After Market Orders (AMO)
If you try to place an order after 3:30 PM, your broker may allow it as an After Market Order (AMO).
- The order is not executed immediately
- It gets placed for the next trading day
- Execution happens when the market opens again
This is commonly used by people who plan trades in the evening after work.
Muhurat Trading (Special Diwali Session)
On Diwali, the stock market opens for one special hour, called Muhurat Trading.
- Happens once a year
- Considered auspicious by many investors
- Exact timing is announced by NSE and BSE before Diwali
In practice, volumes are lower, but many long-term investors participate symbolically.
Why Stock Market Timings Matter for Beginners
Understanding market timings helps you:
- Avoid placing orders when the market is closed
- Know when prices actually move
- Plan trades calmly instead of rushing
- Understand why an order did not execute immediately
Many beginners panic when an order placed at 4:30 PM does not execute. This happens simply because the market is already closed.
Conclusion
To summarise in simple words:
- Indian stock market opens at: 9:15 AM
- Indian stock market closes at: 3:30 PM
- Trading days: Monday to Friday
- Pre-opening: 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
- Post-closing: up to 4:00 PM
Once you understand these timings, half of the early confusion about trading disappears.
As a next step, you may want to learn how delivery and intraday trades work during these hours.
We hope this article helped you understand Indian stock market open and close timings in a clear and practical way. To continue learning, you may also find our guides on delivery vs intraday trading and how share prices change useful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Stock Market Timings
If you are just starting out in the stock market, timing-related doubts are very common.
These FAQs cover both basic questions and slightly deeper, real-life doubts that beginners in India usually have when they first learn about Indian stock market timings.
What time does the Indian stock market open and close?
The Indian stock market opens at 9:15 AM and closes at 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday. These timings apply to both NSE and BSE. The market is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and exchange-declared holidays.
What is the pre-opening session, and do beginners need to use it?
The pre-opening session runs from 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM and helps decide the opening price of stocks. Beginners do not have to use it. For most new investors, placing orders during normal trading hours is usually enough.
Can I buy or sell shares after 3:30 PM?
You cannot trade live after 3:30 PM. However, you can place an After Market Order (AMO), which will be executed the next trading day when the market opens.
Why doesn’t my order execute immediately when I place it in the evening?
This happens because the market is already closed. Orders placed after market hours are queued and processed only when trading starts again at 9:15 AM on the next working day.
Are NSE and BSE trading timings different?
No. NSE and BSE have the same trading timings for equity markets. This makes it easier for investors to follow one common schedule.
Is there any lunch break in the Indian stock market?
No. Unlike some foreign markets, the Indian stock market runs continuously from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM without any lunch break.
What is the post-closing session, and is it useful for beginners?
The post-closing session runs from 3:40 PM to 4:00 PM and allows limited trading at the closing price. For most beginners, this session is not very important and can be safely ignored.
What is Muhurat trading, and why does it happen?
Muhurat trading is a special one-hour trading session on Diwali. It is considered auspicious by many investors. Participation is optional, and trading volumes are usually lower than normal days.
Can stock prices change when the market is closed?
Prices do not change officially when the market is closed. However, news, global markets, and events can influence prices, which may reflect when the market opens the next day.
How do stock market timings affect intraday trading?
Intraday trading must be completed within the same trading day, between 9:15 AM and 3:30 PM. Any open intraday position is usually squared off automatically near market closing.
Do mutual fund investments follow the same stock market timings?
Mutual fund NAVs are based on the closing prices of stocks at 3:30 PM. You can place mutual fund orders anytime, but the applicable NAV depends on when your order is processed.
