Zerodha BSE Sensex options Session hours

BSE Sensex options trading hours

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BSE Sensex options (and BSE Bankex options) trade on the BFO (BSE F&O) segment with the standard 09:15 to 15:30 continuous session. The session timings match NSE F&O; the BSE-specific differences are in expiry day (Friday for Sensex), lot sizes, and the option chain.

Standard hours

PhaseTime (IST)
Pre-open (some index futures)09:00 to 09:08
Pre-open match09:08 to 09:15
Continuous trading09:15 to 15:30
Post-15:30Settlement processing

For Sensex / Bankex options specifically, the pre-open is typically not available (options use continuous matching from 09:15). The continuous session ends at 15:30.

Expiry day specifics

BSE Sensex weekly options expire on Friday. On expiry day:

  • Trading continues until 15:30 as normal.
  • After-hours settlement at the closing index value.
  • Cash settlement for ITM options (no physical delivery for index options).

BSE Bankex weekly options also expire on Friday (currently; subject to revision).

Comparison with NSE

AspectNSE Nifty / BankNifty optionsBSE Sensex / Bankex options
Session hours09:15 to 15:3009:15 to 15:30
Weekly expiryThursday (Nifty)Friday
Lot sizePer NSE specificationPer BSE specification (different)
Pre-openIndex futures yes; options noIndex futures yes; options no

The session-hour parity allows traders to switch between exchanges within the same session.

Holidays

BSE Sensex / Bankex options follow the BSE trading holiday calendar . On declared holidays, the BFO segment is closed.

Special sessions

  • Muhurat trading : BSE participates with its own one-hour evening session on Diwali.
  • Half-days: Occasionally before major holidays; BSE follows NSE pattern.

From Zerodha Kite

For Zerodha clients, Sensex options orders work on Kite like any F&O order:

  1. Search for the Sensex option contract in the marketwatch.
  2. Identify by exchange tag (BFO).
  3. Place order during 09:15 to 15:30.
  4. Settlement happens normally per BSE rules.

For details on adding BSE F&O contracts: How to add BSE F&O contracts to the marketwatch .

Liquidity considerations

Sensex options liquidity has historically been lower than Nifty 50 options on NSE. Post-2024 (when BSE re-launched weekly Sensex options with active marketing), the gap has narrowed at ATM strikes.

For most retail traders:

  • ATM Sensex weekly: reasonable liquidity.
  • OTM Sensex strikes: more variable.
  • Bankex options: thinner than Sensex.

Check market depth before placing limit orders on far-OTM Sensex / Bankex options.

See also

External references

References

  1. BSE India, F&O segment trading hours, bseindia.com.
  2. BSE India, Sensex / Bankex option contract specifications, bseindia.com.
  3. Zerodha Support, BSE F&O on Kite, support.zerodha.com.

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