India’s stock exchanges are observing a trading holiday today, Tuesday, October 20, for Dussehra. The NSE and BSE equity markets are closed for regular trading, so investors will not see a normal trading session in listed shares today.
A fresh update for market participants is the schedule for this year’s Diwali Muhurat Trading. The special session is planned for Sunday, November 8, on the occasion of Laxmi Pujan. The main continuous trading window is scheduled to run from 2:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., giving the session a total duration of 70 minutes.
Why the market is closed today
Dussehra is included in the exchanges’ 2026 trading holiday calendars. With the holiday falling on a Tuesday this year, the usual flow of weekday equity trading pauses for the day. Investors following listed shares should distinguish this full market holiday from a day when trading continues but some companies or sectors attract less activity.
The holiday applies to regular trading on the NSE and BSE equity markets. As exchange schedules can differ across market segments, participants who trade products beyond listed equities should check the relevant exchange notice for that specific segment.
What is Muhurat Trading?
Muhurat Trading is a special, limited-duration market session held around Diwali. It is a long-standing market tradition associated with Laxmi Pujan and the beginning of the Hindu accounting year, Samvat. The exchanges open for a short scheduled window even though the date is otherwise a regular trading holiday.
The session’s symbolic importance does not change how market prices are formed. Orders still interact through the exchange’s trading system, and prices can move in response to demand and supply. A festive session is therefore a calendar event, not a signal about the direction markets will take.
Muhurat Trading 2026: date and main session
This year’s Muhurat session is scheduled for Sunday, November 8. The main continuous trading period is set for 2:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Other stages, such as pre-open activity and any segment-specific arrangements, follow their own exchange instructions. Participants should check the latest NSE and BSE notices closer to the session, especially if they need details beyond the main trading window.
November 8 is also listed as a Diwali Laxmi Pujan trading holiday in the exchange calendars, with Muhurat Trading to be conducted on that day. The separate Diwali-Balipratipada holiday appears on November 10 in the 2026 equity holiday calendar.
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What investors should keep in mind
Today’s closure means there is no regular NSE or BSE equity session to follow. Market prices displayed on trading platforms may reflect the latest available data from the previous session, rather than live trading in Indian equities today. Investors should check the date and time shown beside a quote before treating it as current.
The November Muhurat session will be much shorter than a regular trading day. A shorter window can mean that activity is concentrated into less time, but the session’s duration alone does not determine how individual securities will move. The exchanges’ published timings are operational information; they do not guarantee liquidity, price stability or a particular market outcome.
For anyone tracking the calendar, the two dates to note are October 20, when regular NSE and BSE equity trading is closed for Dussehra, and November 8, when the special Diwali Muhurat session is scheduled. Exchange notices remain the best place to confirm any later changes or additional segment-specific timings.
Conclusion
The NSE and BSE equity markets are closed today, October 20, for Dussehra. The new calendar update is the scheduled Diwali Muhurat Trading session on November 8, with continuous trading planned from 2:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Participants can use the holiday calendar to plan around the pause in regular trading and consult exchange notices for the final operational details of the special session.
Educational Disclaimer
This article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell securities, or a forecast of market performance. Readers should verify trading schedules with the relevant exchange and make financial decisions based on their own circumstances.
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