Commodity Market Timings in India

Last Updated: 26 Aug 2025

One of the things to understand about commodity trading is that the commodity market hours are much longer. To understand commodity market hours in India, let us look at some important aspects of commodity market timings as well as the list of commodity market holidays.

What is the Time of Commodity Market Trading in India?

We will look at the actual timings of the commodity market and also at the list of trading and clearing holidays.

Here are the standard market timings for commodity markets.

Trading on the Commodity Derivatives segment of the exchange will take place on all days of the week from Monday to Friday. This excludes Saturdays and Sundays, and holidays declared by the Exchange in advance and notified to the members of the Exchange. 

So, what time does the commodity market open? It’s 9 AM. And what time does commodity market close? It closes at 23:30 hrs. 

Commodity category	Trade start time	Trade end time (after the start of us daylight saving in the spring season)	Trade end time (after the end of us daylight saving in the spring season)
Internationally Referenced Non-Agri Commodities	09:00 AM	11:30 PM	11:55 PM
Trade Modification		11:45 PM	11:59 PM
Position Limit/Collateral value set-up /cut-off end time		11:45 PM	11:59 PM

Since commodity trading can only take place on the stipulated trading days on the commodity exchanges, let us also look at the list of trading holidays and clearing holidays. Given below is the complete list of trading holidays for this year, and this list changes with each year.

MCX Commodity Trading Timings

The MCX (Multi Commodity Exchange) in India operates from Monday to Friday and remains closed on weekends.

MCX Trading Time by Commodity Category

Commodity Category	Trading Timings
Agricultural Commodities	9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Non-Agricultural Commodities	9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (with DST) 9:00 AM to 11:55 PM (without DST)

MCX Trading Timings by Exchange Segment 

Segment	Timings (with DST)	Timings (without DST)
Bullion	9:00 AM to 11:30 PM	9:00 AM to 11:55 PM
Metals	9:00 AM to 11:30 PM	9:00 AM to 11:55 PM
Energy	9:00 AM to 11:30 PM	9:00 AM to 11:55 PM

NCDEX Commodity Trading Timings

With effect from August 14, 2023, the trading hours on the NCDEX exchange were updated. Here is the table presenting the revised commodity trading timings:

Activity	Revised Timing
Trading Hours	10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pre-Open Session	9:45 AM to 10:00 AM
Client Code Modification Window	10:00 AM to 5:15 PM

Commodity Market Holidays

Holiday	Date	Day	Morning Session	Evening Session
New Year’s Day	January 01, 2025	Wednesday	Open	Closed
Maha Shivaratri	February 26, 2025	Wednesday	Closed	Open
Holi	March 14, 2025	Friday	Closed	Open
Id-ul-Fitr (Ramzan ID)	March 31, 2025	Monday	Closed	Open
Mahavir Jayanti	April 10, 2025	Thursday	Closed	Open
Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti	April 14, 2025	Monday	Closed	Open
Good Friday	April 18, 2025	Friday	Closed	Closed
Maharashtra Day	May 01, 2025	Thursday	Closed	Open
Independence Day	August 15, 2025	Friday	Closed	Closed
Ganesh Chaturthi	August 27, 2025	Wednesday	Closed	Open
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti / Dussehra	October 02, 2025	Thursday	Closed	Closed
Diwali – Laxmi Pujan**	October 21, 2025	Monday	Closed	Closed
Diwali – Balipratipada	October 22, 2025	Friday	Closed	Open
Gurunanak Jayanti	November 05, 2025	Wednesday	Closed	Open
Christmas	December 25, 2025	Thursday	Closed	Closed

SHARE MARKET HOURS (EQUITY)

Trading session

The pre-open commodity trading session will be for 15 minutes i.e. from 9:00 am to 9:15 am. The pre-open session consists of the Order Entry period and Order Matching period.

The pre-open session shall comprise two sessions, viz.

• Order Entry period.
• Order Matching period.

After the order matching period, there is also a buffer period to facilitate the transition between pre-open and continuous sessions.

Order Entry Period

The order entry period shall be for the duration of 8* minutes, during which order entry, modification, and cancellation shall be allowed. (* – System driven random stoppage between 7th and 8th minute)

Both Limit and market orders will be allowed.

Dissemination of indicative equilibrium price, indicative matchable quantity & indicative index values

Order Matching Period

The order matching period will start immediately after the completion of the order entry period. During this period, no Order Addition/Modification/Cancellation shall be allowed

The next step is opening price determination and trade confirmation.

Continuous Trading Session 9:15 am – 3:30 pm. Trades occur continuously as orders match at time/price priority

With the introduction of the Call Auction session, the trading day will look like this:

Chart Source: www.bseindia.com

The continuous trading session will commence only after the pre-open session ends. The two trading sessions, continuous and call auction (pre-open) sessions, will not run concurrently.

The block deal trading session (35 minutes) will start with the commencement of the continuous session.

Factors Influencing Commodity Market Pricing

Commodity prices do not move randomly. They respond to different forces in the economy and global environment. Here are the significant factors that influence price movements:

Macroeconomic Indicators

Macroeconomic trends that impact commodity pricing are interest rates, inflation and currency value. Generally speaking, higher interest rates make a country’s currency stronger, hence more expensive commodities. When rates head lower, they prompt more economic activity and hence,  metal/energy demand rises. Inflation tends to support prices of safe-haven assets like gold and oil. A weaker currency can also push up commodity prices, while a stronger currency has the opposite impact on demand.

Supply and Demand Dynamics

Supply and demand have a central place in pricing. When natural disasters or extreme weather lead to lower output, prices are driven upwards. Cold winters usually raise energy requirements, pushing up the value of gas and heating oil. Reduced production further squeezes supply and raises prices. Stock levels matter too. When demand surges, supplies can dip and prices shoot up, while sufficient stockpiles can help prevent prices from falling.

Geopolitical Events

Political tensions worldwide have a direct impact on commodity supplies. Supply routes might break down due to conflicts and cause price fluctuations. Trade restrictions imposed by countries on one another can also impact pricing. Pandemics or other global events are also responsible for price swings. 

Seasonality and Cyclical Trends

Commodities often follow seasonal and economic cycles. Agricultural prices rise before harvests due to lower supply and fall once the harvest is complete. Energy and metal markets follow business cycles. When economies grow, demand rises and so do prices. In slowdowns or recessions, prices tend to drop. External shocks, such as natural disasters or wars, can also change these patterns and create fresh trading opportunities.

Best Time for Commodity Market Trading

Knowing when to trade can have a big impact on your results. Commodity prices don’t remain the same in a day, week or year. The following are the top times to think about:

Market Opening Hours

Commodity markets are usually more active during the first few trading hours after they open. There are more traders available so that more trades can be executed. Liquidity is higher, and the difference between buy and sell commissions is lower.

Overlapping Market Sessions

Prices are generally bullish when two markets open simultaneously. For example, when the Asian and European markets are open at the same time, certain commodities such as gold and crude oil will experience faster movements.

Economic Announcements

Key economic data, such as GDP figures or employment numbers, have a dramatic impact on the price of items. You will be able to profit from significant price spikes or dips around these announcements.

Seasonal Opportunities

Some commodities follow seasonal demand. Natural gas demand rises in winter due to heating needs. If you can spot these patterns early, you can plan your trades for better profits.

Periods of High Volatility

Price volatility can be risky, but it also creates short-term opportunities. Fast price movements give traders the chance to earn profits in less time, provided they manage their risk well.

Conclusion

One of the keys to successful commodity trading is timing. By knowing the trading hours and holidays, you can get a sense of the best times to plan your trades. If you keep yourself informed and prepare beforehand, you will be able to capitalise on good situations and avoid harmful ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do commodity trading hours differ across countries?

Yes, trading hours vary based on the commodity type, the exchange, and the local time zone. Each international exchange sets its own schedule.

Can trading holidays be changed on MCX?

Yes, the Multi Commodity Exchange can revise or declare new trading holidays. These updates are shared officially through circulars.

Which time zone is followed for commodity trading in India?

Commodity trading in India is based on Indian Standard Time (IST). This applies to all sessions and exchanges within the country.

Are there any pre-open or post-close sessions in commodity trading?

Yes, these sessions are part of the trading cycle. They are used for activities such as order matching and squaring off positions.