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If you are into trading and want to explore the global currency market, the forex market hours in India is the first step. Timing is everything in trading, and knowing when to enter or exit the market can make a huge difference in your profit margin.
The forex market operates 24 hours a day, 5 days a week across different time zones. But if you are in India, the opening and closing hours differ because of the time difference with global trading hubs like London, New York, Tokyo, and Sydney.
In this detailed guide, we’ll break down forex market hours, best trading sessions, how time zones affect your trade,s and why learning forex through expert courses like Entri’s Stock Market Course can be a game-changer for aspiring traders.
What is Forex?
The foreign exchange market, or forex, is the world’s largest and most liquid financial market. It allows traders to buy, sell and exchange currencies at current or predetermined prices. Forex market sees more than $7 trillion traded daily, more than stock and commodity markets combined.
Forex market is decentralised. There is no single physical exchange. Trading happens electronically between banks, brokers, institutions and individual traders through over-the-counter (OTC) networks.
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Understanding Forex Market Timing in India
1: What is a stock?
Most of the foreign exchange market is decentralized and uncontrolled. With the exception of weekends, foreign currency is available around-the-clock due to time zone differences. Furthermore, the world’s foreign exchange trading is fueled by four continents: North America (New York), Europe (London), Asia (Tokyo), and Australia (Sydney). The volume of trading changes from session to session. But it’s busiest when New York and London overlap.
Although Tokyo is usually regarded as Asia’s premier session, in the last ten years, Singapore and Hong Kong have surpassed Japan in trading volume.
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Know moreForex Market Timing
These are the Forex trading timings for the four continents.
| Forex Market | Market Hours in IST |
| Australia | 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM UTC |
| Asia | 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM UTC |
| Europe | 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM UTC |
| North America | 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM UTC |
Forex Market Opening Time in India:
Indian Standard Time (IST) is the operating time for the Forex market in India. The Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York sessions comprise the four sessions that make up the market structure. Every session offers a separate set of opportunities and has an opening and ending time.
Sydney Session (Open: 5:00 AM IST, Close: 2:00 PM IST):
The Sydney session kicks off the trading week for the Forex market at 5:00 AM IST and ends at 2:00 PM IST.
It provides a more relaxed trading atmosphere because it is one of the quieter periods. It’s crucial to remember, though, that because of their ties to the Australian dollar, several currency pairs, like AUD/JPY and AUD/USD, may see higher volatility during this session.
Tokyo Session (Open: 6:00 AM IST, Close: 3:00 PM IST):
The Tokyo session starts when the Sydney session concludes. Because this session coincides with the Sydney session for a few hours, it exhibits higher volatility. It starts at 6:00 AM Indian Standard Time and ends at 3:00 PM IST. Currency pairs that involve the Japanese yen, such USD/JPY and EUR/JPY, can see increased action during this session.
London Session (Open: 1:00 PM IST, Close: 10:00 PM IST):
The London session is considered the most important because to its tremendous volatility and liquidity. As a result of its coincidence with the Sydney and Tokyo sessions, market activity has increased. Major currency pairs including EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/CHF are well-known for their notable price swings during this session.
New York Session (Open: 8:00 PM IST, Close: 5:00 AM IST the next day):
In the world of trading, the New York session takes center stage as the London session comes to a finish. This session, which runs from 8:00 PM IST to 5:00 AM IST the following day, is well-known for its high volatility and liquidity, which makes it the ideal time for traders to participate in busy markets. USD/CAD and USD/JPY are two examples of currency pairs that feature the US dollar and may see a rise in trading activity during this period, giving traders plenty of chances.
Currency Trading Marketplaces in India
One of the world’s most varied marketplaces is forex. There’s a central bank, a hedge fund, and occasionally even tourists involved.
In India, there is a market for trading currencies where individuals can purchase and sell currency derivatives. Exchanges, brokers, and players including companies, banks, and individual traders make up the market.
You can trade quotes that contain INR or ones that do not when trading currency pairings. This distinction explains why the forex currency market timing for both types of currency pairings in India currently differs. In spite of this, there is a significant overlap in the periods that traders of all currencies can trade foreign currencies.
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Know moreForex Currency Trading Times In India
The following currency market hours are available for trading and purchasing futures for currency pairings in India:
9:00 am is the opening time, and 5:00 pm is the closing time.
In India, the forex market opens at 9:00 am, which is three and a half hours after Japan’s opening and two and a half hours after Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore’s.
Furthermore, it is well known that overlapping markets can affect the liquidity and volatility of particular currency pairs, particularly when the quote or base is frequently traded, as is the case with the JPY.
The Indian forex market overlaps heavily with European markets, particularly Germany and the UK, by the time it closes at 5 p.m. The currency pairs affected are GBP-INR and EUR-INR.
Can You Trade 24 Hours Indian Currency?
No, you are unable to exchange Indian rupees around-the-clock. The currency market in India is open Monday through Friday. Between 9 AM IST and 5 PM IST are the trading hours. During these hours, currency pairings may be bought and sold by banks, brokers, and trading platforms.
The following table shows the market timing for USD/INR trading on the top foreign exchange providers:
| Forex Market | Market Hours in IST |
| New York | 6:30 PM to 2:30 AM |
| London | 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM |
| Tokyo | 5:30 AM to 1:30 PM |
What is the Best Time to Trade Forex in India?
In India, the forex market is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with cross-currency trading lasting until 7:30 p.m. However, throughout India’s currency market hours, liquidity and fluctuation are not always constant.
Their differences stem from global trade sessions that overlap. This has previously been brought up. The claim is that a currency pair may experience more or less trading activity based on two factors.
The first has to do with a nation’s business hours. For instance, during US currency trading sessions, a currency pair with the USD as the quote or base currency may have a lot of liquidity. Experts surmise that the current forex market timings in India coincide with numerous active trading sessions across the globe, leading to a spike in trading activity.
Here’s how to plan your trades:
- Trade in the currency pairs active during your chosen session (e.g., trade USD/JPY during Tokyo hours).
- Check economic calendars before announcements.
- Adjust stop-loss and take-profit levels according to volatility.
- Don’t overtrade when market is slow.
- Keep a trading journal to track performance during different sessions.
Consistency and discipline is the key to success in forex trading.
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Common Mistakes Traders Make with Forex Market Hours
Even experienced traders can lose money if they ignore time zones. Some common mistakes are:
- Trading during low volume hours
- Ignoring news releases
- Overlapping sessions without proper risk management
- Poor sleep due to night trading
Knowing when markets are active and volatile helps to minimize these issues.
Why Learn Forex with Entri’s Stock Market Course
If you are new to forex or stock trading, enrolling in Entri’s Forex Market Course will give you the right foundation.
This course covers technical analysis, risk management, trading psychology, and market hours strategy.
You’ll learn from experienced mentors, get real-time practice sessions, and get certification to build a professional trading career.
Whether you want to trade part-time or full-time, Entri’s structured learning path breaks down complex topics into actionable insights.
Conclusion
Forex trading is not just about charts or indicators. It’s about when to trade. The right timing can turn your strategy from uncertain to consistent. As an Indian trader, trade during forex active hours and you will see a huge difference. Add that with good market analysis and continuous learning through Entri’s Stock Market Course, and you will become a confident trader.
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Trusted, practical strategies to help you grow with confidence. Enroll now and start investing the right way.
Know moreFrequently Asked Questions
Is forex profitable in India?
Forex trading may be successful in India. However, profits largely depend on the exchange rate of rupee in reference to various currencies. Moreover, you have to make appropriate deals to gain earnings from forex trading.
Is forex 24 hours in India?
What are the four Forex trading times?
The London market operates from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). In the New York market, trading takes place from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. UTC. The Sydney market works from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. UTC, while the Tokyo market is active from 12 a.m. to 9 a.m. UTC.
Can I trade Forex at night in India?
Indian traders can trade Forex at night but must understand which currency pairs are best suited for trading at any time.
