What is the Timing of Intraday Trading?

Last Updated: 25 Aug 2025

What is the Timing of Intraday Trading?

An intraday trade has to be opened and closed on the same day. In the rolling settlement, if it is not closed on the same day, then it goes to compulsory delivery. Hence, knowing the timing for intraday trading is crucial. But what is the time for intraday trading? It is from 9.15 am to 3.30 pm on a daily basis in the Indian markets. To understand when intraday trading starts, you must be clear that intraday orders cannot be placed in the pre-market session. Only CNC orders are placed in the pre-open. This information can be easily found using a share market app.

Timing for Intraday Trading

Let us first look at the Intraday trading timing from a theoretical perspective. Then we will look at the ideal time to initiate and close intraday trades during the day.

What is intraday trading time?

While intraday trading theoretically ends at 3.30 pm, you actually never get to trade till then. So, at what time does intraday trading end? If you identify your order as an intraday trade, then the broker will wait till about 3.15 pm, and if the order is still open, then the broker’s risk management system will automatically close all open intraday positions at the market price. Effectively, you can place and close orders intraday from 9.15 to about 3.10 pm.

What is the best time for intraday trading?

Intraday trading is like a Catch-22 situation. You need volatility because that is when you get price movement. At the same time, too much volatility will mean that stop losses get triggered and movements are too random. So, what is the best time to do intraday trading? Here is what you should do as an intraday trader in various trading timing blocks.

Trading on opening

This is normally the first 30 to 35 minutes of trade. In the Indian context, it normally extends from 9.15 to about 9.45 and is also the time when the markets are volatile. That is because the overnight news and all other triggers get factored into prices in the first half hour. Should intraday traders play in this frame? It is good if you are a veteran intraday trader. Some of the seasoned traders use the early volatility to strike bargains, especially if there is a gap up or gap-down opening. However, that is for seasoned traders. If you are just about starting out on intraday trading, you must wait out this volatile period.

Trading after volatility subsides

This is the post-opening phase and extends typically from 10 am to around 11.30 am. This is normally the time when prices have settled, the direction of the market is set, and even indices have stabilised. Now it is the time for opportunity, and it is in this phase that your charts, patterns and news flows will really work in the case of an intraday trade. Make the best of this phase.

The third phase

The third phase, between 12 noon and 2.30, is usually the more relaxed period of the markets. Here, the focus is more on any specific events or news flow, like global data flows, opening of Dow futures, closing of trade in Asian markets and actual opening of European markets. This is a period you trade only if you have a story or close your positions if you get your price targets.

The final hour

Finally, we come to the last hour of trading, extending from 2.30 pm till the close of trade at 3.30 pm. Here, your time frame is restricted to just one hour, so opening fresh positions is risky. The only exception is when you trade the last hour on F&O expiry based on rollover data. This is the time to plan your position closure, and always do it well before 3.15 pm so that your broker does not force close the position through RMS.

Importance of Timing in Intraday Trading

You should know about the intraday market hours so that you can make use of market movements throughout the day. This is important information to help you get the best out of your strategy, manage risks and trade better in general.

Trade Execution

Understanding this means that you will be able to trade seamlessly during an intraday trading session. If you are trading intraday, you have to buy and sell on the same day. So, timing helps in capturing short-term moves in a better way.

Volatility Management

Markets are usually more volatile at opening and closing times, particularly when there are significant announcements. Knowing this helps you make your trades in advance, thus avoiding the fluctuations and minimising risks.

Liquidity Considerations

Intraday traders must pay close attention to liquidity levels, as they affect how easily a security can be bought or sold without affecting its price. Timing helps you identify periods of high liquidity, typically during the early trading hours, making it easier to enter or exit positions profitably.

Maximising Opportunities

By understanding when markets are most active or favourable, you can align your strategies to tap into the best trading windows. This intraday order time awareness allows you to identify more opportunities and improve your profit potential.

Stock market timing in India

In India, stock market timings extend from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm. There is a pre-open session from 9.00 am to 9.08 am when CNC orders can be placed, and this phase is used for price discovery. Here, orders are matched in bulk at 9.15 and not on a real-time basis. The normal real-time trading starts at 9.15 am each day.
Trade closes at 3.30 pm, but there is a post-close session available after that where the contract price will be the closing price of the day. This window sees limited volumes.

Conclusion

Timing plays a vital role in intraday trading, influencing trade execution, volatility management, and liquidity. Knowing when to enter and exit positions can significantly impact your overall success. By aligning your strategy with market behaviour at specific times, you can reduce risks and boost profits. Simply put, mastering timing is key to becoming an efficient intraday trader.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is auto square off triggered

Auto square off is triggered if the intraday position is not closed out by the trader before 3.15 pm. Auto square normally runs between 3.15 pm and 3.20 pm.

What are best timings for trade

There is nothing like that. Normally, intraday traders prefer to start trading from around 10.00 am once the volatility has settled.

Can I place an order after the intraday market closes?

There is a post-close session where such CNC orders can be placed for execution at closing price.

Can I trade in the pre-opening session?

You can trade in pre-open but only for delivery in CNC mode.