Intraday trades attract many new traders because the trade begins and ends on the same day. With easy app-based execution and tight market spreads, day trades feel fast and practical.
But intraday positions cannot be carried forward. Every open trade must be closed or squared off before the trading session ends. If a trader misses the exit deadline, the brokers will close that position automatically, which comes with extra charges.
This guide explains Intraday Closing Time, broker timings for square-off, auto square-off policies, penalties, and the best time window to exit trades safely.
What Is Intraday Closing Time?
Intraday closing time refers to the deadline by which all the intraday positions must be closed on the same trading day. This is the cutoff to exit trades, secure profits, or limit losses before the market session ends. If a trader fails to square off the position within this time, the broker steps in and closes it automatically.
Intraday Trading Timings in India
| Pre-opening session | 9:00 AM–9:15 AM |
| Market opening time | 9:15 AM |
| Normal market closing time | 3:30 PM |
| Post trading session | 3:30 PM–4:00 PM |
Intraday Market Closing Time for NSE & BSE
The intraday market closing time for both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) is 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday. All intraday trades must be squared off before this time; otherwise, brokers will automatically close them.
Square-Off Time for Intraday Orders
Most of the brokers begin the auto-square-off process for open intraday positions between 3:10 PM and 3:25 PM. This early cut-off helps in managing risk, as the intraday trades cannot be carried forward after the market closes.
Auto Square-Off Rules Followed by Brokers
- Same day closing: The intraday positions are to be closed on the same trading day, and if any position remains open for intraday, it has to be exited before the market ends, since it cannot be carried to the next session.
- Brokers’ square-off window: Most of the brokers start auto square-off 10–25 minutes before the market closes. The exact timing changes from platform to platform, so the traders should know their broker’s cut-off time.
- Auto square-off charges: If the broker closes the trade, a flat fee + GST per order is added. This charge exists to push traders to square off manually.
- Risk-based forced exit: The brokers may close trades earlier if losses hit margin limits or if the stock is stuck in a circuit. However, only intraday orders get auto-squared off, not delivery or carry-forward trades.
What Happens If You Miss the Intraday Closing Time?
The position gets squared off automatically, and the trader may end up paying penalties or facing delivery risks.
Penalty & Additional Charges
When a trader misses the intraday square-off deadline, the broker’s Risk Management System (RMS) automatically closes the position at the available market price, which may not be favourable and might result in losses during volatile moves.
A flat penalty fee is also charged for this forced exit. In some cases, a buy position can be converted into delivery if there are sufficient funds, requiring full payment for the shares and regular delivery charges. If there is a margin shortfall on carried-forward positions, the traders may face daily interest or exchange penalties.
Short positions without shares can lead to auction penalties, while the stocks frozen in upper or lower circuits may not square off at all, resulting in unavoidable delivery or auction-related charges.
Equity, F&O, Commodity & Currency Timings
The square-off timing can differ across broker platforms, but most follow a standard auto-exit window for intraday trades. Here’s a simple view of the usual timings across segments:
| Segment | Auto square off timing |
| Equity (Cash) | 3:15 PM–3:20 PM |
| Equity (F&O) | Around 3:25 PM |
| Commodities | 25 mins before the session ends |
| Currency | 4:45 PM–4:50 PM |
Best Time Window to Exit Intraday Trades
The traders might consider the best time to exit intraday position before the brokers begin auto square off activity, for example, around 1:45 PM to 3:00 PM, and the market begins to stabilise.
Early afternoon offers cleaner price movements, lower bid-ask spreads, and enough liquidity to enter or exit without much slippage. Exiting within this window also protects the traders from sudden volatility caused by closing-hour spikes, news announcements, or large institutional orders. It gives room to book profits calmly, adjust targets, or cut losses without being forced out by a broker’s system.
While this timing helps in reducing risk, the best exit still depends on the strategy applied by a trader, stock volatility, and market trend for the day. Monitoring momentum and volume matters more than waiting for the clock, but choosing a calm window keeps the decisions efficient and less rushed.
Bottom line
Intraday trades demand discipline, not just quick entry and exit decisions. Every position opened during the day must be closed before the session ends, and relying on brokers to square off can cost the traders extra money and sometimes lead to worse prices.
Since each broker follows its own auto exit window, the traders should always know their brokers’ cut-off time and avoid waiting until the last minute.
A calm exit window before 3:10 PM offers enough liquidity to book profits or reduce losses without stress. Managing timing, margins, and risk protects the traders from penalties, forced delivery, and unwanted auction charges.
FAQs
It is safer to exit before the brokers begin auto square-off, usually between 1:45 PM and 3:00 PM. This window offers stable prices, enough liquidity, and less slippage. Waiting till the last minute can trigger forced exit at unfavourable rates and bring extra charges.
The broker’s system will close the position automatically before the market closes. This forced exit may happen at whatever price is available, which can lead to losses, especially during volatile moves. The traders may also be charged a square-off fee and face delivery or auction penalties if the position is stuck.
Yes, if a broker closes the intraday trade, a flat charge plus GST is added. This fee is applied to discourage the traders from waiting till the end or leaving open positions. The manual exit helps in avoiding these charges and gives control over the order price.
Yes, but it depends on a broker’s window and the available margin. After the square-off process begins, the conversion may not be allowed. Even if the broker permits it, the traders must have full funds to take delivery. If the money is insufficient, penalties or interest may apply.
No, different brokers follow different auto square-off windows, usually between 3:10 PM and 3:25 PM for equities. The traders should always check their broker’s exact cut-off time and avoid waiting till the system forcibly closes the trade.
No, once the market closes, intraday positions cannot be converted to delivery. If the broker has already squared off the trade, delivery conversion is not possible. In rare cases where the stock remains open due to circuit conditions, delivery may happen involuntarily, leading to additional charges or an auction.
Yes, square-off timings differ across equity, F&O, commodities, and currency. For equities, auto exit is usually around 3:15 PM–3:25 PM, while currency may go till 4:45 PM–4:50 PM. Commodities follow their own session hours, and brokers close intraday orders about 25 minutes before those markets end.
