MCX – Revision in Trading Hours from March 09, 2026

The Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) has announced a revision in its trading hours effective March 9, 2026. This seasonal adjustment, aligns Indian market hours with the start of US Daylight Saving Time (DST). 

What is changing?

The market close time for the evening session for non-agricultural commodities, has been moved from 11:55 PM to 11:30 PM during U.S. daylight saving time (2nd Sunday of March to 1st Sunday of November).

Revised Trading Hours (Effective March 9, 2026) 

For further verification or assistance, you can refer to the official Circular 1/ 03 or contact the MCX Customer Support Team. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is Daylight Saving Time (DST)?
  Daylight Saving Time is the seasonal practice of setting clocks forward by one hour in the spring and back by one hour in the autumn. This shift is designed to make better use of natural evening light and help conserve energy.

• Why is the MCX changing its trading hours if India doesn’t follow DST?
  While India stays on a consistent schedule, major global markets like the US do observe DST. Since many MCX commodities (like Gold and Crude Oil) are linked to international prices, the exchange adjusts its hours to maintain seamless overlap; with these global markets.

• Is this a permanent change?
  No. This is a seasonal adjustment. Trading hours typically revert to the later close (11:55 PM) in early November when the US ends Daylight Saving and returns to Standard Time.

• Does this change affect all commodities?
  The primary shift to an 11:30 PM close applies to Non-Agricultural commodities (Metals and Energy).