If you’re planning to invest or trade in stocks, one of the first things you need to understand is the Indian stock market timings. It’s not just about “when” the market opens or closes. The stock market follows a structured routine, divided into phases. Each phase serves a different purpose. Some are for actual trading, while others are for preparation or closure.
Let us explore the share market timings in India for 2025!
What Are the Share Market Timings in India?
The share market timings in India follow a Monday-to-Friday schedule. Trading happens only on weekdays, except for exchange-declared holidays.
Here’s the timeline of the stock market timings and days:
| Segment | Time |
| Pre-Opening Session | 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM |
| Normal Trading Session | 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM |
| Post-Closing Session | 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Muhurat Trading (Special) | Declared Separately |
Phases of Stock Market Trading Hours
To understand what is stock market timings, you need to look at the three key sessions:
1. Pre-Opening Session (9:00 AM to 9:15 AM)
This 15-minute window is meant for order collection and price discovery. No trades are actually executed during the first 8 minutes.
- 9:00 AM to 9:08 AM – Investors place, modify, or cancel orders.
Order entry & modification Open: 09:00 hrs
Order entry & modification Close: 09:08 hrs
- 9:08 AM to 9:12 AM – Matching and price determination happen.
- 9:12 AM to 9:15 AM – Buffer period before trading begins.
2. Normal Trading Session (9:15 AM to 3:30 PM)
This is the actual trading market open time when most of the buying and selling happens. Prices change in real time based on supply and demand. This session follows a continuous matching system.
This is what most people refer to as the Share Market Time or Stock Market Timings India.
3. Post-Closing Session (3:40 PM to 4:00 PM)
This session allows for placing orders at the closing price. It’s mostly used by long-term investors or institutions who want to make large orders without affecting prices too much.
BSE and NSE Timings- 2025
Trading on both BSE and NSE follows the same daily routine. The equity segment is open from Monday to Friday, and remains closed on weekends and official exchange holidays.
Here’s how the trading sessions are structured:
A) Pre-Open Session (9:00 AM – 9:08 AM)
This short window is mainly for order entry and changes. You can place, cancel, or modify your orders.
Note: The session may close randomly in the last minute to avoid manipulation.
Once this window ends, the system begins calculating the opening price based on demand and supply.
B) Regular Trading Session (9:15 AM – 3:30 PM)
Market Opening Time
The primary trading session takes place from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. It employs a bilateral order-matching system where prices align with market demand and supply. The introduction of the multi-order method during the pre-opening session helps to control excessive price volatility, ensuring a smoother trading experience.
- For Equity and F&O market:
9:15 am- 03:30 pm (Monday–Friday)
- For the Currency Market
9:00 AM- 5:00 PM (Monday–Friday)
- For Cross-Currency
9:00 AM- 5.00 PM (Monday to Friday)
- For the Commodity (MCX) market:
9:00 AM- 11:30 PM Monday to Friday (From March to Nov)
9:00 AM- 11:55 PM Monday to Friday (From Dec to Feb)
- For the Agri-Commodity (NCDEX) market:
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday–Friday)
This is the actual stock market trading hours when buying and selling of shares happen in real time. It includes both normal trades and trades under the limited physical segment.
C) Closing Session (3:40 PM – 4:00 PM)
This short session allows you to place buy/sell orders at the day’s closing price. These are called “closing price” orders and are often used by large investors or funds for bulk activity. This closing price significantly influences the starting price for the next trading day.
D) Block Deal Sessions (NSE)
Block deals, large trades executed between two parties, have separate windows:
- Morning window: 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM
- Afternoon window: 2:05 PM to 2:20 PM
Now make your first move.
Open a free Demat account and place your first order when the market is live
These blocks don’t affect the general trading crowd and are used mostly by institutions.
Aftermarket Orders (AMO): A Flexible Option
Not everyone can sit in front of a screen during market hours. Aftermarket Orders (AMOs) allow you to place buy or sell orders when the market is closed. These orders do not get executed immediately. Instead, they are queued for the next trading day. When the market opens at 9:15 AM, the system processes these orders in the regular session.
AMO Order Placement Segment Wise:
Equities – After 4:00 pm to 8:59 am the next day
FO – From 3:30 pm to 9:14 am the next day
Currencies – After 5:00 pm to 8:59 am the next day
Who should consider using AMOs?
- If you are unable to track the market live but still want to act on specific price levels
- If you prefer to make investment decisions after market hours, when things are calmer
- If you have done your research and want to plan trades in advance
It is important to know that AMOs are not guaranteed to execute at the exact price you set. The final price depends on the opening movement of the stock in the next session.
Choosing the Right Trading Time Based on Your Style
The Indian stock market operates on a fixed schedule, but not every part of that schedule works the same way for everyone. Your trading goals, risk tolerance, and approach all play a role in deciding when you should be most active.
If you are an intraday trader
You must focus on the market’s opening hours from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM, and the last hour from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. These two windows often show the highest levels of volatility and volume. That means faster price movement, more trading opportunities, and higher risks. Many professional traders choose these time blocks to catch sharp moves.
If you are a long-term investor
You do not need to worry about timing the market to the minute.
Long-term investing is based on research, conviction, and discipline. It is better to place your orders in calmer periods when prices are more stable. Some investors even prefer to use the post-market session to place their orders quietly.
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If you follow global market cues
Events in the United States, Europe, or Asia can influence the Indian stock market. If you track global news, you could consider using the pre-market session or Aftermarket Orders to prepare your trades in advance. This can help you react early!
Muhurat Trading: A Cultural Tradition You Must Be Aware Of
Every year, on the evening of Diwali, the Indian stock market opens for one special hour. This session is called Muhurat Trading. It is one of the most symbolic events in the Indian investing calendar.
Muhurat Trading is not about chasing returns or following indicators. It is about beginning something new with intention and belief. It is a ritual that blends tradition with money. For many families, this session is about lighting a diya, placing an order, and welcoming prosperity into the year ahead.
This one-hour window usually happens in the evening. The exchanges announce the exact time a few days before Diwali. The session includes a short pre-open period followed by a brief trading phase. Volumes are usually low, and price movements are not very significant.
But that is not the point. The point is to participate. Even a single share bought during this time carries emotional weight. It marks a fresh start. It connects today’s investors to a century-old tradition.
Stock Market Timings 2025- FAQs
No, the regular trading session on NSE and BSE ends at 3:30 PM. You can place Aftermarket Orders (AMOs), but they will be executed on the next trading day.
As per NSE and BSE, the equity market operates from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday. The pre-open session begins at 9:00 AM.
The “10 AM rule” is an informal term used by some traders. It suggests waiting until 10 AM to enter trades after the market has digested early volatility, but it is not a rule defined by SEBI or exchanges.
You cannot buy shares in the live market after 4 PM. However, you can place Aftermarket Orders, which are queued for the next day’s session.
NSE and BSE operate from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays. You can check today’s status on the official NSE or BSE website’s holiday calendar.
Yes, you can place buy orders until the market closes at 3:30 PM. However, liquidity and price movements may vary in the final minutes.
The standard equity trading session today will be from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM.
Source: NSE
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Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks; read all the related documents carefully before investing.