For anyone exploring commodity trading, knowing the commodity market timings in India is essential. MCX and NCDEX follow different commodity trading hours, and the opening and closing times can vary by exchange, commodity and contract type.
This guide covers MCX trading hours, NCDEX timings, morning and evening sessions, commodity market holidays in 2026 and the factors that may influence commodity prices during trading hours.
Table of contents
- What exactly are the commodity market timings in India?
- Major Indian commodity exchanges and their trading hours
- Key factors moving prices during trading hours
- Relatively high-probability trading windows
- Final thoughts on navigating commodity trading timings
What is a commodity market?
A commodity market is a marketplace where participants buy and sell commodities, either for immediate delivery or for future settlement through exchange-traded contracts. Commodities are basic goods that are generally interchangeable regardless of the producer and often serve as essential inputs for economic activity.
In India, commodity trading takes place through regulated exchanges, where market participants can trade a variety of commodities based on prevailing market prices.
Key Takeaways
- Commodity market timings in India vary according to the exchange, commodity category and contract, with all trading hours stated in Indian Standard Time.
- MCX trading begins at 9:00 a.m., while closing times range from 5:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. depending on the commodity.
- Most NCDEX commodities trade from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., following a pre-open session from 9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Commodity market holidays may involve a complete closure or only a particular session, and exchanges may revise the schedule through official circulars.
- Higher liquidity or trading activity does not assure a favourable outcome, as commodity derivatives remain exposed to volatility and other market risks.
What exactly are the commodity market timings in India?
Commodity market timings are the hours during which commodity derivatives can be traded on recognised exchanges. The commodity market opening time and closing time in India are not the same for every exchange or commodity.
This guide focuses on two major Indian commodity exchanges:
- Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX): Primarily known for bullion, metals, energy and selected agricultural commodity derivatives.
- National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX): Primarily known for agricultural commodity derivatives.
Regular commodity trading generally takes place from Monday to Friday, excluding exchange holidays and special sessions announced separately. MCX has morning and evening trading hours for eligible contracts, while most NCDEX commodities trade during the daytime.
All timings below are in Indian Standard Time (IST) and are current as of July 22, 2026.
Read Also: Role of Commodities in Multi-Asset Allocation Funds
Right time for commodity trading
Rather than focusing on a single “right” time, traders often monitor periods with adequate liquidity and market participation. Higher liquidity generally means there are more buyers and sellers in the market, which may lead to smoother trade execution and narrower bid-ask spreads.
The suitability of a trading session may vary based on several factors:
- Type of commodity: Precious metals and energy commodities are often influenced by international markets, while agricultural commodities may be more affected by domestic factors such as weather conditions, crop reports, and government policies.
- Trading strategy: Short-term traders may prefer periods with higher trading volumes and price movement, whereas participants with longer holding periods may focus more on broader market trends than on specific trading hours.
- Risk tolerance: Periods of high volatility may create trading opportunities but may also increase the risk of rapid price fluctuations. Traders should evaluate whether such conditions align with their risk appetite.
- Global market overlap: Trading activity in commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil often increases when Indian market hours overlap with major international markets, potentially leading to higher liquidity and price movement.
Major Indian commodity exchanges and their trading hours
MCX and NCDEX follow different commodity trading schedules. The applicable trading time depends on the exchange and the contract being traded.
MCX trading timings
MCX offers extended trading hours for non-agricultural commodities because products such as gold, silver, base metals and crude oil are closely linked to global commodity markets.
| Commodity category | Trading hours during US daylight saving time | Trading hours during US standard time* |
| Non-agricultural commodities | 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. |
| Selected agricultural commodities—cotton, cotton oil and kapas | 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
| All other agricultural commodities | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
*The closing time applicable after US daylight saving time ends is subject to an MCX circular.
The current MCX timing for non-agricultural commodities—9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.—became effective on March 9, 2026. The period from 5:00 p.m. onwards is commonly referred to as the MCX evening session for eligible contracts.
Source: Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited, Circular No. MCX/TRD/068/2026, dated February 9, 2026.
NCDEX trading timings
Most NCDEX commodities trade during the daytime. The Mumbai Rainfall futures contract has an extended trading window.
| Commodity or session | Trading hours |
| Pre-open session | 9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. |
| All commodities other than Mumbai Rainfall | 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Mumbai Rainfall futures | 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. |
These NCDEX trading hours became effective on May 29, 2026. Client code modification is permitted until 5:15 p.m. for regular commodities and 11:45 p.m. for Mumbai Rainfall futures. This is an operational window and not an extension of trading hours.
Source: National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited, Circular No. NCDEX/TRADING-021/2026, dated May 22, 2026.
Best time to trade commodities in India
There is no universally suitable or “best” time to trade commodities. The right time for commodity trading depends on the commodity, available liquidity, trading approach and the trader’s ability to manage price fluctuations.
The following factors can help traders understand when market activity may be higher:
- Liquidity and trading volume: High-volume trading periods may have more buyers and sellers, which can support smoother order execution and narrower bid-ask spreads. However, higher volume does not assure a favourable outcome.
- Overlap with global markets: Activity in internationally linked commodities such as gold, silver, base metals and crude oil may increase when Indian trading hours overlap with markets in London and New York. Price movements may also become sharper during these periods.
- Domestic market developments: Agricultural commodities may respond to weather conditions, crop estimates, mandi arrivals, government policies and import or export decisions.
- Economic announcements: Inflation data, interest-rate decisions, employment reports and commodity inventory data may cause sudden price movements.
- Market opening: Overnight developments may be reflected when regular trading begins. This can result in higher activity as well as greater volatility and wider bid-ask spreads.
A period of high trading activity should not be treated as a high-probability trading window. Traders should consider liquidity, volatility, transaction costs and their risk tolerance before placing an order.
Trading holidays for the commodity market in 2026
Commodity market holidays may involve a full-day closure or a partial trading holiday. On a partial MCX holiday, the morning session may remain closed while eligible contracts reopen during the evening session.
Commodity market holiday schedules can change. Traders should check the latest exchange circular before trading around a holiday.
MCX trading holidays in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Morning session | Evening session |
| Jan-01 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Open | Closed |
| Jan-15 | Thursday | Municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra | Closed | Open |
| Jan-26 | Monday | Republic Day | Closed | Closed |
| Mar-03 | Tuesday | Holi | Closed | Open |
| Mar-26 | Thursday | Shri Ram Navami | Closed | Open |
| Mar-31 | Tuesday | Shri Mahavir Jayanti | Closed | Open |
| Apr-03 | Friday | Good Friday | Closed | Closed |
| Apr-14 | Tuesday | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti | Closed | Open |
| May-01 | Friday | Maharashtra Day | Closed | Open |
| May-28 | Thursday | Bakri Id | Closed | Open |
| Jun-26 | Friday | Muharram | Closed | Open |
| Sep-14 | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi | Closed | Open |
| Oct-02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | Closed | Closed |
| Oct-20 | Tuesday | Dussehra | Closed | Open |
| Nov-10 | Tuesday | Diwali-Balipratipada | Closed | Open |
| Nov-24 | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Closed | Open |
| Dec-25 | Friday | Christmas | Closed | Closed |
On January 15, 2026, the MCX evening session was open from 5:00 p.m. to 11:55 p.m., with selected agricultural commodities available until 9:00 p.m. On other partial holidays, the closing time depends on the commodity and the trading schedule applicable on that date.
Sources: MCX Circular No. MCX/TRD/636/2025, dated December 15, 2025, and MCX Circular No. MCX/TRD/017/2026, dated January 12, 2026.
NCDEX trading holidays in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Morning session | Evening session |
| Jan-01 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Open | Closed |
| Jan-15 | Thursday | Municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra | Closed | Closed |
| Jan-26 | Monday | Republic Day | Closed | Closed |
| Mar-03 | Tuesday | Holi | Closed | Closed |
| Mar-26 | Thursday | Shri Ram Navami | Closed | Closed |
| Mar-31 | Tuesday | Shri Mahavir Jayanti | Closed | Closed |
| Apr-03 | Friday | Good Friday | Closed | Closed |
| Apr-14 | Tuesday | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti | Closed | Closed |
| May-01 | Friday | Maharashtra Day | Closed | Closed |
| May-28 | Thursday | Bakri Id | Closed | Closed |
| Jun-26 | Friday | Muharram | Closed | Closed |
| Sep-14 | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi | Closed | Closed |
| Oct-02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | Closed | Closed |
| Oct-20 | Tuesday | Dussehra | Closed | Closed |
| Nov-10 | Tuesday | Diwali-Balipratipada | Closed | Closed |
| Nov-24 | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Closed | Closed |
| Dec-25 | Friday | Christmas | Closed | Closed |
Sources: NCDEX Circular No. NCDEX/TRADING-040/2025, dated December 16, 2025, and NCDEX Circular No. NCDEX/TRADING-001/2026, dated January 12, 2026.
Commodity market holidays falling on weekends in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Trading status |
| Feb-15 | Sunday | Mahashivratri | Weekly holiday |
| Mar-21 | Saturday | Id-Ul-Fitr/Ramadan Eid | Weekly holiday |
| Aug-15 | Saturday | Independence Day | Weekly holiday |
| Nov-08 | Sunday | Diwali Laxmi Pujan | Muhurat trading; timings to be announced separately |
MCX and NCDEX have stated that Muhurat trading will be conducted on November 8, 2026. The exchanges will announce the applicable timings separately.
Sources: MCX 2026 trading-holiday circular and NCDEX 2026 trading-holiday circular.
Key factors moving commodity prices during trading hours
Commodity prices can respond quickly to domestic and international developments. Some of the key factors affecting commodity prices include:
- International data releases: US Energy Information Administration (EIA) inventory reports may influence crude oil and natural gas prices. Federal Reserve announcements can affect the US dollar, interest-rate expectations and internationally traded commodities.
- Global market movements: Prices on overseas commodity exchanges may influence Indian contracts, particularly in metals and energy commodities.
- Supply and demand: Production levels, inventories, consumption, transportation constraints and supply disruptions can influence prices.
- Weather and crop conditions: Rainfall, temperature, crop estimates and mandi arrivals may affect agricultural commodities.
- Geopolitical developments: Conflicts, sanctions, trade restrictions and disruptions to shipping routes may affect energy, metal and agricultural commodity prices.
- Currency movements: Changes in the USD/INR exchange rate may affect the domestic prices of imported or internationally priced commodities.
- Domestic policy news: Export restrictions, import duties, duty revisions and Minimum Support Price (MSP) announcements may influence specific commodities.
- Exchange circulars: Changes in margins, position limits, contract specifications or commodity trading hours may affect liquidity and trading activity.
The effect of each factor can vary by commodity and prevailing market conditions.
Final thoughts on navigating commodity trading timings
Knowing the commodity market timings in India can help traders understand when orders may be placed and when domestic or global developments could influence prices. However, the opening or closing time of the commodity market in India does not make a trade suitable or reduce its risks.
MCX and NCDEX timings may change because of US daylight saving time, commodity market holidays, special sessions or revised contract specifications. Traders should check the latest exchange circular and relevant contract details before trading.
Those who do not wish to trade commodity derivatives directly can separately explore how permitted commodity exposure may be obtained through commodity-related mutual funds or multi-asset allocation funds, depending on the scheme’s investment mandate. An SIP Calculator may help illustrate potential investment outcomes, but its results are estimates and do not assure returns.
FAQs:
What time does the commodity market open in India?
The commodity market opening time depends on the exchange. Regular trading begins at 9:00 a.m. IST on MCX and 10:00 a.m. IST on NCDEX. NCDEX also conducts a pre-open session from 9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
What is the closing time of the commodity market in India?
The commodity market closing time depends on the exchange and commodity. Most NCDEX commodities close at 5:00 p.m. MCX commodities may close at 5:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. or 11:30 p.m., depending on the commodity category and applicable schedule.
What are the current MCX trading hours?
As of July 22, 2026, MCX trading hours are 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. for non-agricultural commodities, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for selected agricultural commodities and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for other agricultural commodities.
What are the current NCDEX trading hours?
Most NCDEX commodities trade from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mumbai Rainfall futures trade from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. NCDEX also has a pre-open session from 9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
What is the difference between MCX and NCDEX trading timings?
MCX offers extended evening trading for non-agricultural and selected agricultural commodities. Most NCDEX contracts close at 5:00 p.m., although Mumbai Rainfall futures have extended trading until 11:30 p.m.
What is the best time to trade commodities in India?
There is no single best time to trade commodities. A suitable period depends on the commodity, liquidity, volatility, global market overlap, trading approach and the trader’s risk tolerance.
When are high-volume commodity trading periods?
Internationally linked commodities may see higher activity when Indian trading hours overlap with European and US markets or when important economic data is released. Higher volume may improve liquidity but can also be accompanied by greater volatility.
Is the commodity market open on Saturdays and Sundays?
MCX and NCDEX are generally closed on Saturdays and Sundays. However, an exchange may conduct a special session, such as Muhurat trading or a session linked to the Union Budget, after issuing an official circular.
How do commodity market timings vary globally?
Global commodity market timings differ by exchange, contract and country. Many international commodity contracts trade through extended electronic sessions with short daily breaks, while Indian commodity trading hours are notified separately by exchanges such as MCX and NCDEX.
Can MCX change trading holidays?
Yes. MCX may revise its trading holiday schedule or announce special sessions through an official circular, so traders should check the latest exchange notice before placing trades around a holiday.
Which time zone applies to commodity market trading hours in India?
Commodity market trading hours in India are stated in Indian Standard Time, or IST, which is UTC+5:30. Changes linked to US daylight saving time may affect the closing time of certain MCX contracts, but the published hours remain in IST.
Are there pre-opening and post-closing sessions in the commodity market?
Session structures differ by exchange. NCDEX conducts a pre-open session from 9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., while administrative facilities available after the market closes, such as client code modification, do not constitute a post-closing trading session.
Is commodity trading safe?
Commodity trading on recognised exchanges is regulated by SEBI, but it is not risk-free. Price volatility and derivative exposure can magnify losses, so traders should use a SEBI-registered broker, understand the contract and maintain appropriate risk controls.
