Before you begin trading in the stock market, you must become familiar with various aspects of this financial marketplace. Some, like learning about the different trading instruments and strategies, may be challenging for beginners. Others, however, are easier to grasp — like the NSE and BSE trading hours.
It is crucial to know the Indian stock market’s schedule and when the stock exchanges open and close each day. You must also be aware of the stock market holidays and special trading sessions. Knowing these details is important because it helps you plan your trading strategies more accurately and react to national or global news promptly, without any delay.
While you’re at it and learning about the NSE and BSE trading hours, you may wonder if the stock market is open on a Saturday. This is a common doubt because many traders who work during the weekdays may have more time to trade over the weekend. However, the central question is: Does the stock market work on weekends?
In this article, we aim to answer this question by discussing the Indian stock market’s schedule and the NSE and BSE trading hours.
Official Trading Days in India
The Indian stock market consists primarily of two exchanges, namely, the NSE (National Stock Exchange) and the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange). Both stock exchanges operate from Monday to Friday during the regular trading hours. These trading days form the foundation of the NSE and BSE’s trading hours, which typically include pre-opening trading sessions, normal trading hours and closing sessions. If you want to participate in the markets, you can plan your trades based on this fixed five-day week that makes up the Indian stock market schedule.
Both the NSE and the BSE remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays. So, to put it simply, if you are wondering about weekend trading sessions, the short answer is this — no, the stock market does not work on weekends. There are no equity trading sessions held on Saturdays and Sundays. Any market activity or announcements that occur during these days will only be reflected on Monday.
In addition to weekends, these stock exchanges also observe a list of public holidays when trading remains suspended. The NSE and the BSE typically announce these holidays in advance. Whether you are a trader or an investor, you must track these holiday schedules closely to avoid placing trades on days when the market is not operational.
Are There Any Exceptions in the Indian Stock Market Schedule?
While the BSE and the NSE are not open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, there are a couple of notable exceptions to the strict Indian stock market schedule.
One such instance is the Muhurat trading window, which is a special one-hour session conducted during Diwali. Although it takes place on a public holiday (and a weekend, depending on when Diwali falls during the year), the session holds symbolic and cultural value. Traders participate in this session to mark an auspicious beginning to the financial year. The exchange announces the day and time when this session will be conducted. In this case, the stock market is open on a Saturday for one hour provided that the Diwali Muhurat session falls on a Saturday.
Another exception includes mock trading sessions or contingency drills that stock exchanges conduct regularly. These are primarily system checks carried out by the NSE and BSE to test new features, infrastructure and response mechanisms. These sessions in the Indian stock market schedule do not involve real trades. They are also not accessible to the average retail investor. Their purpose is strictly technical and operational, not financial gain.
So yes, there are rare cases when the stock market is open on a Saturday or a holiday. However, these are not standard trading sessions. They are either symbolic, like Muhurat trading, or technical, like mock runs. You should not assume that normal buy-sell orders will function during these times. To avoid any confusion about the Indian stock market schedule, always check the circulars and announcements from the stock exchanges in advance.
Standard NSE and BSE Trading Hours
So, you now know the answer to the question: Is the stock market open on a Saturday? To clarify this further, let us take a closer look at the standard NSE and BSE trading hours. They can be broadly divided into the following three segments:
Pre-open Session
This is the session that occurs before the market opens for the day. In the NSE and the BSE, this window starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 9:15 AM.
The first eight minutes of the pre-open session (i.e. from 9:00 AM to 9:08 AM) are typically reserved for order entry. This means you can enter into, modify and cancel your orders as needed during these eight minutes. In the last one minute from 9:07 AM to 9:08 AM, orders may be randomly closed.
After this eight-minute window, the pre-open order matching session begins. During this window, no new orders can be placed. The opening prices for different stocks and securities are determined and the orders placed earlier are matched against their counterparts.
Regular Trading Session
Also known as the continuous trading session, this window begins at 9:15 AM and closes at 3:30 PM. This is when you can place regular limit and market orders, and they will be matched and completed in real time.
Closing and Post-Close Session
From 3:30 PM to 3:40 PM on each trading day, the stock exchanges use the volume-weighted average price method to compute the closing prices of all the listed stocks and securities. Thereafter, the post-close session is held from 3:40 PM to 4:00 PM.
Global Market Perspective
Most global stock markets operate on a Monday-to-Friday schedule, similar to India, with weekends reserved for closures. The NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) and NASDAQ in the United States run from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Both are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and US federal holidays, including Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) also observes a five-day trading week. Its standard trading hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM UK time. The LSE closes on weekends and key public holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day. While pre-market and post-market sessions may exist, they are typically used by institutional investors, not the general public.
Other major exchanges like the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange follow similar patterns, operating Monday through Friday with specific national holidays observed. Weekend trading is not a norm globally, with rare exceptions like cryptocurrency platforms that run 24/7.
Conclusion
If you have ever wondered whether the stock market works on weekends or if the NSE is open on Saturdays, this article should answer your questions. Summing it up, the Indian stock market strictly follows a Monday-to-Friday schedule, with no regular trading on weekends — barring rare sessions like Muhurat trading. For regular trading activities, both the NSE and BSE remain shut on Saturdays, Sundays and officially declared holidays.
Keep in mind that while the Indian stock market’s schedule is largely consistent, exceptions like special sessions or mock drills can occasionally occur. That is why you should never assume availability based on rumours or global practices. Always refer to official circulars for updates on the NSE and BSE trading hours. This way, you will never miss a session or plan trades on a non-trading day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are pre-market and post-market sessions available to retail investors?
Yes, retail investors can participate in both pre-market (9:00–9:15 AM) and post-market sessions (3:40–4:00 PM) on the NSE and BSE. However, these sessions have lower liquidity compared to regular trading hours.
How is the Muhurat trading session time decided each year?
The Muhurat trading session is scheduled by the NSE and BSE based on the Diwali muhurat (auspicious time) as per Hindu calendars. Timings are announced in advance through official exchange circulars every year.
Are trading holidays the same across all stock exchanges in India?
Not always. While most major holidays are common, differences may occur between equity, commodity and currency markets or among exchanges like NSE, BSE, and MCX. It is best to check each exchange’s official holiday list.
What happens if a holiday falls on a weekday during a live IPO or F&O expiry?
If a holiday coincides with an IPO or F&O expiry, the exchange reschedules these key dates accordingly. IPO bidding timelines or expiry dates may be extended or shifted, with formal updates issued via public notices.
Can mock trading data influence live market sentiment or stock prices?
No, mock trading sessions are isolated system tests without real transactions. They do not reflect market sentiment or impact live prices because participation is limited and data is not integrated into live market feeds.
Are intraday trades allowed during special sessions like Muhurat trading?
Yes, intraday trades are permitted during Muhurat trading. However, the session is usually short (around one hour). So, you must square off your positions within that window. Margins and volatility may also differ from regular sessions.
Easy & quick
Leave A Comment?