Diwali is all about starting afresh, being prosperous and planning your finances. This aspect of Diwali can be found in the Indian stock market in the form of Muhurat Trading, which is an event which combines both the essence of Diwali and the concept of investing in stocks. This event occurs during the period of Diwali Laxmi Pujan and is an important event from a cultural perspective since it signifies the efforts made by the investors towards inviting prosperity, abundance and blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.

As we look forward to the Muhurat Trading 2026, let us find out about its date, timings, past performances and other related aspects for the investors to consider.

What Is Muhurat Trading?

The Muhurat Trading Session is a unique trading session that takes place in the stock market through the NSE and BSE during the festival of Diwali. Muhurat implies ‘a good time,’ and many investors regard this period as a fortunate time to initiate their financial activities. In this trading session, investors will be able to trade stocks in accordance with the schedule set out by the exchanges. It is traditional for some to buy stocks as a gesture of bringing prosperity and some may make investments based on their needs.

This trading session lasts an hour usually; however, pre-open and other sessions may have different schedules. The session is a culturally significant one, but it does not necessarily mean that people will earn profits in the process.

Muhurat Trading 2026: Date and Timings

Muhurat Trading 2026 will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, during the celebration of Diwali. This event is connected with Diwali Laxmi Puja and is the start of the Hindu New Year (Samvat 2083).

The complete circular should be referred to for the remaining timings and the current schedule must be obtained from NSE, BSE or the broker prior to placing any trades.

History and Significance of Muhurat Trading

Muhurat trading is of great cultural and economic importance. For many investors, Diwali becomes an ideal time to start investing, while beginners can use this trading session for exploring the world of stocks and revisiting their financial objectives. For those traders who follow traditions, this event marks a new beginning and a moment to hope for wealth and prosperity, as well as the blessing of Goddess Lakshmi. Nevertheless, one should understand that trends in the stock market during the period of this brief session will not influence future performance.

Muhurat Trading is a practice in the Indian stock market, which links the importance of Diwali to the process of trading. It is an important day for many traders and entrepreneurs, as they consider it an opening of new financial year. This is the start of the Hindu New Year (Samvat 2083) in 2026, which also adds value for those investors who believe in traditional methods. Nevertheless, the festive nature of the Muhurat Trading will not affect the performance of the investments. Profits, financial stability, value and prospects of the company will continue to determine the price of the shares.

How Well Did the Stock Market Do at Muhurat Trading 2025?

October 21, 2025 was the day of Muhurat Trading 2025. The two most significant benchmark indices in India finished trading in the green.

There was an increase in both the Nifty 50 and Sensex indexes due to the positive ending of the festive session. Nevertheless, this growth was rather insignificant, which means that Muhurat Trading does not cause any strong increase in stock prices.

As for what happened later, it is also worth considering.

On October 19, 2026, the Nifty 50 Index had the level of 22,888.95, whereas the Sensex was equal to 73,852.90. Comparing these indexes with the indexes at the end of the Muhurat Trading 2025 closing, we can see that both of them fell by about 11.52% and 12.52%, respectively. There were different reasons behind the fall of the Indian stocks in 2026; for instance, foreign investors’ sell-off, increase in crude oil prices, weakening of rupee and others.
This case demonstrates that there are many aspects influencing the stock market apart from one trading session. The primary idea that should be derived from this example is that a successful Muhurat Trading session does not guarantee positive results in the future.

Muhurat Trading Performance: The last Five years (2021-2025)

An analysis of the past five sessions of Muhurat Trading will give an idea about the performance of benchmark indices in these trading sessions.

Note: Percentages are the changes that occur in each Muhurat Trading session relative to the previous regular session’s closing price.

In all five sessions, the indices closed at a higher level, recording the maximum percentage gain of approximately 0.87% in 2022 and minimum percentage gains in 2025. But these percentages are based on Muhurat Trading sessions and do not give any idea about annual returns or individual stocks’ performance. Past information can provide relevant background, but it cannot help in predicting the result of future Muhurat Trading sessions.

What Investors Can Expect from Muhurat Trading 2026?

Investors can have different expectations before Muhurat Trading 2026. Some might want to continue their current investments, whereas some might be planning to make their first investment. However, market situation leading to the session plays an important role.

Important considerations in the Indian equity market

• The behavior of foreign institutional investors: The selling activities of foreign institutional investors can adversely affect the Indian equity market, especially when foreign investors are investing money in other markets.
• Crude oil prices: An increase in crude oil prices may create higher costs for India because the country imports a substantial proportion of its needs for oil.
• Movement of rupees: The depreciation in the value of rupees can create higher import costs for some companies, whereas others will see different effects based on how they conduct business.
• Geopolitical events: The geopolitical events in oil-exporting countries can impact the prices of oil in the global economy and affect the investments in the market.
• Company profits and valuations: The performance and valuations of companies, as well as their expectations of growth, should be considered when deciding whether to buy a company’s shares.
• Global investments: Changes in the rate of global investments can affect emerging markets such as India.

The weak performance of the markets during the Muhurat Trading 2025 period clearly illustrates how swiftly situations may shift. One should not expect a rebound in the markets because a new Muhurat Trading period is about to come. It is better to consider the investor’s financial goals, investment horizon and risk management abilities, rather than attempt to forecast whether the indices will grow or decline during November 8.

Muhurat Trading 2026 Tips

If you are deciding to take part in Muhurat Trading, below are some helpful tips for you to consider.

1. Prepare a budget prior to the start of the period
2. Do your research on the companies before making a purchase
3. Avoid taking any decision solely based on tradition
4. Consider your investment time frame
5. Diversify your investments
6. Consider order types and costs of transactions
7. Avoid chasing short-term price changes
8. Review your investments frequently

Let Tradition Influence You, but Let Research Lead You

Muhurat Trading 2026 will take place on November 8 and is a chance for the investors to enjoy the tradition of Diwali while reflecting on their investment strategy. The session is not limited to equity trading. Investors can also explore eligible derivatives and MCX commodity trading segments, subject to the respective exchange schedules. Though there have been gains on both Nifty 50 and Sensex during the past five Muhurat Trading days, one should consider that the performance of the market after the festive season does not necessarily mean profits.

Explore Aetram to access tools such as market screeners, watchlists and alerts that can support your market analysis and help you make more informed trading decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Muhurat Trading 2026?
Muhurat Trading 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, coinciding with Diwali. The session follows a special schedule announced by the stock exchanges.

2. What are the timings for Muhurat Trading 2026?
According to the announced BSE schedule, trading member login is from 1:15 PM to 1:50 PM, followed by the block deal window from 1:50 PM to 2:05 PM. The pre-open session begins at 2:05 PM, with market and limit order entry permitted until 2:10 PM and limit orders accepted until 2:15 PM. Investors should check the complete exchange circular for the remaining timings.

3. Can beginners participate in Muhurat Trading?
Yes. Beginners can participate if they have an appropriate trading account and understand the risks involved. It is sensible to start with an amount they can afford to invest and research the stock before placing an order.

4. Is Muhurat Trading profitable?
Muhurat Trading is not automatically profitable. Stock prices can rise or fall during the session and future returns depend on market conditions, company performance, valuation and other factors.

5. Should I buy shares during Muhurat Trading?
You may consider buying shares if the investment fits your financial goals and is supported by research. Avoid buying simply because it is Diwali or because others are participating in the session.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Stock market investments are subject to market risks. Please conduct your own research or consult a qualified financial adviser before investing.