Special Diwali Trading Session Marks Beginning of Samvat 2083

India's stock market is set to observe its traditional Muhurat trading session on Sunday, November 8, ushering in the new financial year of Samvat 2083. The special one-hour evening session will run from 2:20 pm to 3:30 pm, with trading members able to log in starting at 1:15 pm.

Past Market Performance

Historical data over the past ten years shows that major benchmark indices have a strong track record during this annual festival. Both the Nifty 50, Sensex, and Nifty Bank indices have posted positive returns in eight out of the last ten Muhurat sessions. The Nifty 50 recorded drops in 2016 and 2017 before delivering gains in every session from 2018 through 2025. During the 2025 session, the Sensex advanced 63 points to close at 84,426, while the Nifty 50 gained 25 points to settle at 25,868.

Cultural Roots And Timings

The ritual dates back to 1957 when the BSE first introduced the practice, followed by the NSE in 1992. The tradition is linked to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and the broking community's custom of 'Chopda Pujan'. Exchange circulars outline a detailed schedule for the day, including a block deal window from 1:50 pm to 2:05 pm, a pre-opening session from 2:05 pm to 2:20 pm, and post-closing activities running until 4 pm.

Context

Muhurat trading is an annual symbolic stock market event in India held during Diwali, combining cultural investment traditions with the start of the Hindu calendar year. While historical data shows mostly modest gains during these short sessions, investors typically view the window as an auspicious time for symbolic purchases rather than major financial decisions.