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Trading in the commodity market differs from the equity market not only in terms of products but also in commodity market timing. Commodities are traded across extended hours and multiple sessions to reflect both domestic and global market activity. Understanding commodity market timing in India, including opening and closing hours, helps market participants interpret when different commodity segments are available for trading.
Commodity market timings define the specific windows during which different commodities can be traded on Indian exchanges, making them an important operational detail for market participants to understand.
In India, commodity trading is conducted in two distinct sessions. The first is the morning session, which runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the second is the evening session, which begins at 5:00 PM and extends until 11:30 PM, or 11:55 PM when US Daylight Saving Time is in effect.
A key distinction exists between agricultural and non-agricultural commodities. Most agricultural commodities, particularly those traded on NCDEX, are available only during the morning session and align with domestic market hours. In contrast, non-agricultural commodities such as bullion, base metals, and energy contracts continue trading into the evening session on MCX, reflecting their linkage to international markets. Certain globally influenced agricultural commodities, including cotton, may also remain open beyond the standard agri session, typically up to around 9:00 PM, subject to contract specifications.
Together, these staggered trading hours accommodate both domestic supply-demand factors and global price movements, which plays a role in how orders are placed and managed across different commodity segments.
The Indian commodity market is regulated by SEBI and primarily operated through exchanges like:
MCX (Multi Commodity Exchange) – Metals, energy, and some agricultural products
NCDEX (National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange) – Primarily agri-commodities
These exchanges define commodity trading time in India across different segments through clearly specified trading sessions.
Commodity trading is divided into two sessions:
Morning Session: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Evening Session: 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM (extended till 11:55 PM during daylight saving in the US)
The extended evening session aligns Indian commodity market timings with international exchanges such as NYMEX and COMEX.
Indian exchanges publish MCX commodity market timings for different segments based on contract specifications and global linkages.
| Commodity Segment | Trading Timings (Mon–Fri) |
|---|---|
Bullion (Gold, Silver) |
9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (11:55 PM during DST) |
Base Metals (Copper, Zinc, etc.) |
9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (11:55 PM during DST) |
Energy (Crude Oil, Natural Gas) |
9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (11:55 PM during DST) |
Agricultural Commodities (NCDEX) |
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Agricultural Commodities (MCX) |
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (varies) |
Agricultural commodity timings are shorter and generally aligned with domestic market hours.
Commodity trading hours vary across segments due to differences in market linkages, participant activity, and underlying risk factors. Key influences include:
Global market correlation: Commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, and base metals are closely linked to international exchanges, leading to extended trading hours to reflect global price movements.
Domestic market activity: Agricultural commodities are primarily influenced by local supply conditions and domestic demand, which results in trading schedules aligned with Indian market hours.
Liquidity patterns: Trading activity tends to concentrate at different times depending on the commodity, with higher volumes observed during specific sessions based on participant presence.
Volatility management: Evening sessions allow Indian markets to incorporate price changes arising from global economic data releases and overseas market developments.
Overall, commodity trading hours are structured to accommodate both domestic market dynamics and global price influences, ensuring orderly price discovery across different segments.
Commodity markets remain closed on:
Saturdays and Sundays
SEBI-specified trading holidays (often linked to national or religious observances)
Holiday schedules may affect the commodity market closing time for specific contracts.
Trading activity in commodity markets varies across sessions based on factors such as liquidity, volatility, and global market participation.
| Session | Characteristics |
|---|---|
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
Generally lower activity levels |
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM |
Higher participation in agricultural commodities |
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
Increased influence from global metals and energy markets |
9:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
Elevated activity in internationally linked commodities |
Supply and Demand – Availability of commodities versus market consumption.
Weather Conditions – Impact on agricultural yields and production.
Macroeconomic Factors – Inflation, interest rates, and overall economic trends.
Currency Movements – Exchange rate fluctuations affecting global trade.
Geopolitical Events – Conflicts, trade policies, and government regulations.
Live market timings and contract schedules are available on:
https://www.mcxindia.com/
https://www.ncdex.com/
Official exchange websites publish updates related to MCX opening time, session changes, and holiday adjustments.
Global commodity exchanges like NYMEX (for crude oil) and COMEX (for gold) significantly influence prices during the evening trading window in India.
For this reason, the late evening window often records higher activity levels in energy and bullion contracts.
Commodity market activity differs across trading hours due to several time-linked factors.
| Factor | Relevance |
|---|---|
Volatility |
Price fluctuations vary across trading sessions |
Liquidity |
Trading volumes differ by time and commodity |
News Events |
International data releases often coincide with evening sessions |
Personal Availability |
Participation levels vary across trading hours |
Commodity market timings define when different segments are available for trading in India. With extended hours for metals and energy contracts, commodity market timing reflects both domestic conditions and international market linkages. Understanding commodity trading time in India, including opening and closing sessions, provides clarity on how trading activity is structured across commodities and exchanges.
This content is for informational purposes only and the same should not be construed as investment advice. Bajaj Finserv Direct Limited shall not be liable or responsible for any investment decision that you may take based on this content.
No. Commodity exchanges in India remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Crude oil futures generally trade from 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM, and up to 11:55 PM during US daylight saving time.
Most agricultural commodities trade only during the morning session (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM), though a few internationally linked contracts may extend into the evening.
Evening sessions allow Indian markets to reflect global price movements, particularly from international commodity exchanges.
Commodity trading in India generally takes place from 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM or 11:55 PM, depending on daylight saving adjustments, with agricultural commodities closing earlier.
Participants trading metals, energy, and bullion contracts continue activity after equity market hours.
MCX operates from 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM, with trading extended to 11:55 PM during daylight saving adjustments.
No, commodity trading follows set exchange hours and is not available round the clock.
Commodity trading involves exposure to factors such as price volatility, global market movements, policy developments, currency fluctuations, and weather-related disruptions.
No. Commodity trading in India follows fixed exchange hours without separate pre-market or post-market sessions.
Yes. Exchanges may revise trading hours due to regulatory updates, technical reasons, or international market adjustments.
Trading hours for metals and energy are aligned with international exchanges like NYMEX and COMEX, enabling price integration across markets.
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