Diwali Muhurat trading this year will take place in the afternoon, 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. on 21st October

This year the Diwali Muhurat trading session will be done in the afternoon, instead of being held in the evening. NSE and BSE have issued circulars stating that Muhurat trading this year will be held on October 21^st between 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. A 15-minute pre-opening session will take place between 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. on this day.

Usual trading does not take place on the day of Diwali. But a 1-hour auspicious trading, called as Muhurat trading, is done on this day. Stock brokers had been calling on the stock exchanges to shift the Muhurat trading to afternoon from the usual evening hour. This would enable the staff of brokers, stock exchanges etc. to spend more time with their families on Diwali Day.

Post-trade processes related work meant that many of the staff of broking firms had to stay till late in the office on Diwali Day, after the one hour Muhurat session. The broking industry had requested the exchanges to either shift the Muhurat trading hour to the afternoon or shift the compliance requirement work for post trading processes to the next trading day after Diwali.

Broking industry is happy with this decision

The broking industry is happy with this decision of the exchanges. Dhiraj Relli, MD & CEO, HDFC Securities said, “In the past, Muhurat trading was scheduled for the evening, reflecting the importance of traditional rituals. However, as capital markets have evolved, it has become clear that post trading processes require more time. The shift to afternoon timings is a positive development, allowing industry staff to effectively complete their tasks. This change enhances productivity and enables everyone, particularly those in backoffice, IT and processing roles, to spend quality time with their families in the evening of Diwali.”

Source: NSE, BSE