Muhurat Trading 2026: Nifty Slips Below 25,000, Sensex Ends Flat; Smallcap Index Jumps 1%

Indian equity markets ended the special Diwali Muhurat trading session on Sunday, November 8, 2026, on a subdued note, as selling pressure during the latter half of the session erased early gains in benchmark indices. The session marked the beginning of Samvat 2083, with investors participating in the traditional festive trading session.

At the close, the Nifty 50 settled at 24,986.40, declining 43.95 points or 0.18%, slipping below the psychological 25,000 mark. The BSE Sensex ended at 80,999.40, down 28.62 points or 0.04%, after surrendering its intraday gains.

Despite the weakness in headline indices, broader markets displayed relative strength. The Nifty Midcap 100 advanced 0.13% to 60,688.15, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 outperformed with a gain of 1.01% to 19,166.40.

Nifty Gives Up Early Gains, Slips Below 25,000

The Nifty 50 opened the Muhurat trading session on a positive note at 25,070.45, compared with its previous close of 25,030.35. The index extended its gains during the early part of the session and touched an intraday high of 25,131.85.

However, the initial optimism gradually faded as selling pressure emerged at higher levels. The index witnessed a sharp intraday decline around 2:30 PM before recovering towards the 25,080 zone.

The recovery failed to sustain, with the benchmark facing renewed selling pressure during the final part of the session. The Nifty eventually slipped below the 25,000 mark and touched an intraday low of 24,985.30 before settling marginally above that level at 24,986.40.

The index moved within a range of 146.55 points during the session, indicating considerable intraday volatility despite the relatively modest decline at the close.

Broader Markets Outperform as Smallcap Index Gains Over 1%

While the benchmark indices ended in negative territory, broader market indices showed resilience during the special trading session.

The Nifty Smallcap 100 emerged as the outperformer, rising 1.01%, while the Nifty Midcap 100 managed to close marginally higher.

Muhurat Trading Follows Nifty's Sharpest Weekly Rally in Over Five Years

The muted close came after a remarkable recovery in Indian equities during the preceding week. The Nifty 50 had surged approximately 8.78%, recording its sharpest weekly gain in more than five years and reclaiming the 25,000 mark after nearly eight months.

The rally also brought a significant improvement in the market's technical structure, with the index moving above its 200-day moving average and other important short and medium-term averages.

However, the inability to sustain above the 25,000 mark during the Muhurat session indicated some profit booking following the sharp advance.

Nifty Outlook: 25,000 Remains the Key Level to Watch

From a technical perspective, the Nifty's close below 25,000 after testing an intraday high of 25,131.85 suggests that the psychological level remains an important near-term reference point.

The immediate resistance is placed around 25,070–25,130, where the index witnessed selling pressure during the session. A sustained move above this zone could strengthen the case for further upside.

On the downside, the 24,985–24,950 region will be important to monitor. A sustained break below this area could trigger additional profit booking following the recent sharp rally.

Although benchmark indices ended Samvat 2083's opening session marginally lower, the outperformance of the broader market, particularly smallcap stocks, offered some encouragement. Investors will now watch whether the Nifty can reclaim 25,000 when regular trading resumes and whether the recent recovery can extend beyond the festive session.