NSE International Exchange extends trading hours to 23.5 hours a day at GIFT City

The NSE International Exchange (NSEIX), based in Gujarat's GIFT City, has extended its trading hours to 23 hours and 30 minutes a day, enabling international investors and trading participants to access the exchange across Asian, European and American time zones.

The revised schedule came into effect on November 2, 2026, with trading operations beginning at 3.15 am IST and continuing until 2.45 am the following day, the exchange said in a statement.

The extended window is aimed at giving investors greater flexibility and a longer opportunity to respond to developments in international markets. It will allow participants to access the exchange for almost the entire day, covering trading hours across major global financial centres.

NSEIX aims for near-continuous global market access

The exchange said the move would strengthen GIFT City's position as an international financial centre and improve India's connectivity with global capital markets. The longer trading window is also expected to help market participants manage their exposure across different time zones.

“With this launch, NSEIX sets a new global benchmark to provide continuous market for nearly 24/5 hours to the market participants,” the exchange said.

NSEIX described the extended trading schedule as a significant milestone in its efforts to improve international market access and establish a continuous trading environment for global participants.

V. Balasubramaniam, managing director and chief executive officer of NSEIX, said the move would help create a globally accessible marketplace from GIFT City.

“The extension to 23.5-hour trading at NSEIX is an important milestone in our endeavour to create a globally accessible marketplace from GIFT City. By enabling market access across all time zones, we are providing participants with greater flexibility and strengthening GIFT City's connectivity with global financial markets,” he said.

Technology infrastructure supports extended hours

The new trading framework is backed by technology and operational arrangements designed to support longer market hours and minimise interruptions.

According to NSEIX, its technology infrastructure allows rapid system maintenance and updates. Maintenance between trading sessions can be completed within three minutes, while end-of-day maintenance takes less than 15 minutes.

The exchange said these arrangements would help ensure the smooth functioning of trading operations under the extended schedule.

NSEIX's operations and financial products

Established on June 5, 2017, NSEIX operates as an international multi-asset exchange in GIFT City and is recognised by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).

Its product portfolio includes Indian single-stock derivatives, index derivatives, currency derivatives, depository receipts and global stocks.

NSEIX said it would continue to focus on expanding international market access and developing its market infrastructure to meet the evolving requirements of global participants.