​What is the Timing for Intraday Trading

Intraday trading in India occurs from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., allowing traders to buy and sell securities within a single trading day.
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​What is the Timing for Intraday Trading
OPEN ACCOUNT
3 mins read
09-June-2025

Intraday trading is one of the most intriguing aspects of the stock market, but for beginners, it often brings certain questions — how to get started, or what the ideal time for intraday trading is. Since both buying and selling occur on the same day in intraday trading, all transactions must be completed within official market hours. Typically, intraday trading begins at 9:15 AM and can be executed until 3:30 PM on all trading days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and pre-declared Exchange holidays. However, while the market theoretically closes at 3:30 PM, traders usually don’t get to hold positions until the very end—brokers often initiate square-offs 5 to 10 minutes before the closing bell.

What is the timing for intraday trading?

As mentioned, the opening and closing of positions in intraday trading happen on the same day. There are instances when a trader does not manage to close his/her position on the same day. If an intraday position does not close on the same day in a rolling statement, it gets converted to compulsory delivery. One can place and close intraday trade orders from 9.15 am to 3.10 pm on a trading day.

While, technically, the intraday trading closing time is 3.30 pm, traders usually do not wait that long; otherwise, they may face massive losses due to unfavourable market movements. Suppose a trader places an intraday order; in this case, the broker will wait until 3.15 pm for the order to get closed. However, if it remains open, the broker’s risk management system will close his/her open positions at the prevalent market price.

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Should I trade in the first fifteen minutes?

The initial 15 minutes of the trading session—from 9:15 AM to 9:30 AM—are typically the most volatile. During this window, prices swing sharply as the market digests overnight developments, global cues, and pre-market orders. For instance, if Company X releases strong earnings before market open, its stock might surge quickly. While seasoned traders may capitalize on this volatility, beginners are better off observing market trends before jumping in.

Types of intraday trading charts

Intraday trading charts shows the price movement between the opening and closing bells of a daily trading session. Here are some of the charts:

Chart Type

Time Frame

Use Case

Hourly Charts

1-hour intervals

Best for identifying long-term intraday trends and planning entry/exit.

15-Minute Charts

15-minute intervals

Suitable for short-term trend analysis and quick trading decisions.

5-Minute Charts

5-minute intervals

Helps in identifying rapid price movements and short-term reversals.

2-Minute Charts

2-minute intervals

Ideal for scalpers who need real-time trend signals.

1-Minute Charts

1-minute intervals

Used for ultra-fast trades; gives immediate entry and exit cues.


Significance of intraday trading charts

Intraday trading charts help traders spot trends, price movements, and volume changes within a specific stock during the trading session. By analysing these charts, traders can make timely decisions, choose optimal entry and exit points, and reduce the risk of losses through real-time data insights.

Intraday trading time for commodities

In India, the commodity market opens at 9 am and closes at 11.30 pm. The market is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, and on holidays declared by the exchange in advance.

Commodity traders can choose the timing of intraday trading at their convenience. However, they must focus on a few commodities because every commodity has unique influencing factors..

Traders must keep track of domestic and international factors that influence the price of these commodities. Certain commodities share both positive and negative correlations with various assets. For example, gold has a negative correlation with the US Dollar, i.e., when the price of gold increases, the value of the US Dollar declines.

Furthermore, traders of agricultural commodities must be aware of information related to weather forecasts.

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Optimal time frames for Intraday trading success

The most favourable window for intraday trading, as per stock market analysts,  is between 10:15 AM and 2:30 PM. This is because the early morning volatility typically settles by around 10:00 to 10:15 AM, making it a more stable and strategic time to initiate intraday trades.

Intraday traders should avoid trading for the entire day because they might not be able to get sufficient rewards. Experienced traders have frequently lost money or received lower returns after trading all day long.

The first one-two hour after the stock market opens is the ideal time for intraday trading. While experienced traders can start intraday trading at 9.15 am, beginners should wait until 9.30 am. It is because, during the first fifteen minutes, stock prices get affected by the previous day’s news.

Trading at the opening of the market

Volatility can be a double-edged sword for beginners. While the first hour offers:

  • Ample opportunities: The initial price swings can present good entry and exit points for trades.
  • High liquidity: Stocks are actively traded, making it easier to buy and sell quickly.
  • Potentially larger gains: Some of the biggest daily price movements happen in this window.

However, there are also risks:

  • Misleading volatility: Early price swings can be fueled by ‘dumb money’ reacting to overnight news, not reflecting the actual market trend.
  • High risk, high reward: The potential for large gains comes with the potential for significant losses.
  • Time constraints: Exiting positions before the market closes (3:30 PM) becomes more challenging after 11 AM.

Therefore, for beginners, it's safer to wait until 9:30 AM when the market settles. However, experienced traders might find the 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM window ideal due to the volatility and liquidity.

Remember, success depends on your skill level and risk tolerance.

Intraday trading square off time

All open positions in intraday trading must be squared off by 3:20 pm. If it is an automatic square-off, there will be a charge of Rs. 50 + GST per position. The experts advise planning the square-off for open positions in advance.

How to start trading in India?

To start trading in India, people must create a Demat and trading account with a Depository Participant (DP). A bank account, a Demat account and a trading account are necessary for trading with stocks and other securities.

First, an individual opens an account in the trading platform of their choice. Next, he/she needs to link a bank account and a Demat account to the platform to receive/send money and securities, respectively.

Conclusion

A Demat account is where stocks remain stored. A trading account is mandatory because one needs it to place buy/sell orders with the stock exchange. Traders buy and sell stocks on the same day in intraday trading. While knowing the correct details of intraday trading time is a must, traders should take measures such as stop-losses to protect their capital. It is important to note that day trading in a volatile market is generally a bad idea. The ideal time for intraday trading is when one can predict the market's direction and momentum.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the intraday closing time?

Intraday positions are usually squared off between 3:15 PM and 3:20 PM by most brokers to avoid risks associated with market closure. This ensures trades are settled before the market officially closes at 3:30 PM.

When is auto square off triggered?

Auto square-off is initiated when open intraday positions aren’t closed by the trader before the set cutoff time—usually around 3:20 PM. This mechanism ensures that all intraday trades are squared off before the market closes at 3:30 PM, helping traders avoid the risks associated with holding positions overnight.

What are the ideal time for intraday trading?

The most favourable window for intraday trading is generally between 10:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. By this time, the early morning volatility has typically settled, making it easier to analyse trends and make informed trading decisions.

Can I place an order after the close of the market?

Yes, you can place trades after-market hours using After Market Orders (AMOs). These orders are queued and executed when the market opens on the following trading day, ensuring you don’t miss out on early opportunities.

Can I trade in the pre-opening market session?

Yes, retail investors can trade in the pre-opening session from 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM. However, this feature must be enabled by your broker, and order execution depends on market demand and price discovery during this session.

What is the time limit for intraday trading?

Intraday trading in India is allowed from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except on weekends and official holidays. All positions must be squared off within this timeframe to avoid auto square-off.

Can I trade after 3.30 PM?

Yes, you can place trades during the post-market session from 3:40 PM to 4:00 PM. However, these trades are executed at the closing price of the stock and are not available for intraday trading.

What are intraday hours?

Intraday trading hours in India run from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays. During this time, all positions must be opened and closed on the same day.

Can I sell intraday anytime?

Yes, you can sell your intraday position anytime during regular trading hours—between 9:15 AM and around 3:15–3:20 PM. It’s important to square off positions before the broker’s auto square-off deadline to avoid penalties.

Is after-hours trading illegal?

No, after-hours trading is not illegal, but it's a separate market with lower liquidity and potentially wider bid-ask spreads.

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