MCX Trading Hours at a Glance
- Morning Session: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (All commodities)
- Evening Session: 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM (Metals, Energy, Bullion)
- Agricultural Commodities: Trade only during day session
- International Link: Evening session syncs with global markets
- DST Change: Timings shift by 30 mins during US Daylight Saving
What is MCX?
MCX stands for Multi Commodity Exchange of India. It's India's largest commodity derivatives exchange where you can trade futures and options on commodities like gold, silver, crude oil, natural gas, and more.
Unlike the stock market (NSE/BSE) that closes at 3:30 PM, MCX runs much longer. Why? Because commodity prices are driven by global events — and global markets don't sleep when India does.
"When New York is trading crude oil at 9 PM India time, you need to be able to react. That's why MCX stays open late."
— The Logic Behind Extended Hours
MCX Trading Timings (2026)
Here are the official MCX trading hours. All times are in Indian Standard Time (IST).
Morning Session
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
All commodities trade during this session — bullion, metals, energy, and agri commodities.
Evening Session
5:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Only non-agri commodities like Gold, Silver, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Copper, etc.
Agricultural Commodities
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Only
Cotton, Mentha Oil, and other agri contracts close at 5 PM. No evening session.
Saturday & Sunday
Market Closed
MCX is closed on weekends and on exchange-declared holidays.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) Alert!
When the US shifts to Daylight Saving Time (March to November), MCX evening session closes at 11:30 PM. During non-DST months (November to March), it closes at 11:55 PM. Always check with your broker for exact timings.
Commodity-Wise Trading Timings
Different commodities have different trading windows. Here's the breakdown:
Gold & Silver
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Full day + evening session. Track COMEX gold for price action cues after 6 PM.
Crude Oil
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Most action happens in evening session when NYMEX is open. Prime time: 6 PM - 11 PM.
Natural Gas
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Highly volatile in evening. EIA inventory data (Wednesday 8 PM) creates big moves.
Copper, Lead, Zinc, Nickel, Aluminum
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Base metals track LME (London). Evening session sees more volume.
Mentha Oil
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Agricultural commodity. Day session only. Purely domestic market.
Cotton
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Agricultural commodity. Day session only. Tracks domestic demand and monsoon patterns.
Why Does MCX Trade Until 11:30 PM?
Great question. Here's why:
1. Global Market Sync — Crude oil, gold, and silver prices are set by international exchanges like COMEX (New York) and NYMEX. When US markets open at 6:30 PM IST, that's when real price discovery happens for these commodities.
2. Hedging Needs — Indian jewelers, refiners, and oil companies need to hedge their exposure against international price movements. Extended hours let them manage risk effectively.
3. Arbitrage Opportunity — Traders can exploit price differences between MCX and international markets. This keeps prices efficient and aligned globally.
"The evening session is where the real crude oil and gold action happens. Day session is just the warmup."
— Every MCX Trader Ever
Best Times to Trade on MCX
Not all hours are equal. Here's when the smart money trades:
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
US Market Opens
COMEX and NYMEX open. Gold, silver, and crude see increased volatility. Big moves start here.
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Data Release Window
US economic data drops during this window. Oil inventories, jobs data, Fed statements — all move markets.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Opening Action
Morning gap-up or gap-down plays. Prices adjust to overnight moves in international markets.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Low Volume Zone
Slowest period. International markets are closed. Avoid initiating big positions here.
Pro Tip: If you trade crude oil or gold, focus on the 6 PM - 11 PM window. That's when 70% of the real moves happen.
Pre-Open & Post-Market Sessions
MCX doesn't have a formal pre-open session like NSE. However, here's what you need to know:
Market Opens at 9:00 AM Sharp
Trading begins immediately. No auction or price discovery period. The first tick is a live trade.
Market Closes at 11:30 PM
No post-market session. All open positions remain open overnight (squared off only on expiry day).
Overnight Risk Warning
Unlike intraday stock trades, commodity positions are NOT auto-squared off at market close. If you hold a position at 11:30 PM, you'll still have it the next morning. International prices can move significantly overnight — manage your risk accordingly!
MCX Holiday Schedule
MCX observes national holidays and exchange-specific trading holidays. Key points:
• Closed on Saturdays & Sundays — No exceptions
• National Holidays — Republic Day, Independence Day, Diwali, etc.
• Muhurat Trading — Special 1-hour session on Diwali evening (symbolic trading)
• Check MCX Website — Holiday list is published annually. Always verify before planning trades around holidays.
"Holiday weekends are gap risk weekends. International markets trade while India sleeps. Come Monday morning, prices can be anywhere."
— Risk Management 101
Quick Reference: MCX Timings Summary
MCX Trading Hours Summary
- Gold, Silver, Crude Oil, Natural Gas: 9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
- Copper, Lead, Zinc, Nickel, Aluminum: 9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
- Cotton, Mentha Oil: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Weekends: Closed
- Best Time for Gold/Silver: 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM
- Best Time for Crude Oil: 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM
- Low Activity Period: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Final Tips for MCX Traders
1. Know Your Commodity's Active Hours — Don't trade gold at 2 PM expecting big moves. Wait for the evening session.
2. Watch US Data Releases — EIA crude inventory (Wednesday 8 PM), US Jobs data (Friday 6 PM), Fed meetings — these move MCX prices significantly.
3. Mind the Gap — MCX opens with gaps every morning based on overnight international moves. Have a plan for gap situations.
4. Weekend Position Risk — If you hold positions over the weekend, know that international markets trade on Monday before MCX opens. You're exposed to gap risk.
5. Check DST Changes — Twice a year, MCX evening timings shift by 30 minutes due to US Daylight Saving Time. Stay updated.
Trade smart. Trade during active hours. And always manage your overnight risk.