The NSE International Exchange (NSEIX), located in India's GIFT City, has significantly expanded its market operations to 23 hours and 30 minutes per day. This extended schedule, which began on November 2, 2026, aims to offer international investors and trading participants near round-the-clock access to global financial markets.
Near 24-Hour Trading Boosts Global Connectivity
The new trading window will run from 3:15 AM IST to 2:45 AM IST the following day, allowing market participants to engage across Asian, European, and American market hours. This initiative enables investors to react promptly to international developments and manage their market exposure across various global time zones.
V Balasubramaniam, MD & CEO of NSEIX, emphasized that the extension to 23.5-hour trading is a crucial step in creating a globally accessible marketplace from GIFT City. He stated, "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."
Technology-Driven Market Infrastructure
NSEIX, established on June 5, 2017, and recognized by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), highlighted that this expansion underscores its commitment to global accessibility and advanced, technology-led market infrastructure. The exchange's robust technology allows for system maintenance and updates to be completed efficiently, typically within three minutes between sessions and under 15 minutes at the end of the trading day.
The new trading framework is supported by comprehensive technology and operational arrangements designed for this extended market environment. NSEIX plans to continue focusing on expanding international market access and building robust infrastructure that aligns with the evolving needs of global participants.
GIFT City's Growing Role in Global Finance
This move is set to reinforce GIFT City's position as an international financial center, linking India more closely with global capital markets. NSEIX offers a wide array of products, including Indian single-stock derivatives, index derivatives, currency derivatives, depository receipts, and global stocks. It also facilitates primary-market products such as the listing of equity shares, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs), debt securities, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) debt securities under IFSCA Regulations, 2021.
The enhanced timings provide participants with continuous market access for nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week, making it easier for them to operate in a fast-paced global financial landscape.