Understanding forex trading sessions in India is crucial for timing your trades effectively, managing volatility, and aligning with global liquidity peaks. While the forex market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, it does so through four overlapping sessions—each offering unique characteristics and opportunities.

This article breaks down each forex trading session in IST (Indian Standard Time), how they affect trading decisions in India, and the best times to trade major currency pairs.

Key Takeaways

• The forex market follows four major global sessions: Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York.
• In India, trading hours are adjusted to IST, helping traders synchronise with global markets.
• The London–New York overlap offers the highest liquidity for Indian traders.
• Most major currency movements occur between 12:30 PM and 10:30 PM IST.
• INR-based trading through Indian brokers follows limited hours on local exchanges.

Global Forex Trading Sessions in Indian Time (IST)

Session	Open (IST)	Close (IST)	Characteristics
Sydney	3:30 AM	12:30 PM	Low volatility, start of the week
Tokyo	5:30 AM	2:30 PM	Active JPY pairs, moderate volatility
London	12:30 PM	9:30 PM	High liquidity, key for EUR and GBP pairs
New York	5:30 PM	2:30 AM	Strong USD movements, news releases

Best Time to Trade Forex in India

The most active trading periods occur when sessions overlap:

1. London–New York Overlap (5:30 PM – 9:30 PM IST)

• Highest volatility and volume
• Best for trading EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and XAU/USD
• Includes key US news announcements (GDP, CPI, NFP)

2. Tokyo–London Overlap (12:30 PM – 2:30 PM IST)

• Good for EUR/JPY, AUD/JPY, and GBP/JPY
• Moderate volatility, often sets daily direction

3. Avoid Low-Liquidity Hours

• Between 1:00 AM – 5:00 AM IST, markets are slow
• Avoid trading during this time unless using long-term strategies

Forex Trading via Indian Exchanges (INR Pairs)

In India, legal forex trading through SEBI-regulated brokers (e.g. Zerodha, Upstox) is limited to INR-based currency pairs and follows NSE/BSE exchange timings.

Market	Timing (IST)
Currency Futures	9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pairs Available	USD/INR, EUR/INR, GBP/INR, JPY/INR

These markets are closed during global overlaps, so most Indian traders prefer international brokers for 24/5 access to global pairs.

How to Plan Your Day as an Indian Forex Trader

• Morning (9 AM – 12 PM): Review news, prep charts, observe Asian session price action.
• Afternoon (12:30 PM – 5 PM): Trade Tokyo–London overlap if active in JPY or AUD pairs.
• Evening (5:30 PM – 10:30 PM): Prime time for major pair trading (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY).
• Night (10:30 PM onwards): Trade only if necessary; market slows after NY close.

Explore how to optimise your trading plan around Indian hours in our expert-designed Forex Course, with session-based strategies and timing tips for India-based traders.

Case Study: Indian Trader Using Session Overlaps

An Indian trader based in Delhi focused on trading the London–New York overlap (5:30 PM – 9:30 PM IST). He planned trades after work, targeting EUR/USD breakouts during US CPI and NFP releases. His strategy, based on NY session volatility, led to a consistent 3.2% monthly return using risk-managed trades and session alerts.

Fundamental vs Technical Analysis by Session

Session	Best Analysis Approach
Tokyo	Technical (range trading, JPY crosses)
London	Both (trending markets, GBP/EUR news)
New York	Fundamental (US news releases, USD strength)
Sydney	Technical (low volatility setups)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the forex market hours in India?

The global forex market is open 24 hours, but the most active hours for Indian traders are between 12:30 PM and 10:30 PM IST.

Which session is best for forex trading in India?

The London–New York overlap (5:30 PM – 9:30 PM IST) is the best due to high liquidity and major news releases.

Can I trade forex 24/5 from India?

Yes, if using an international broker. Indian brokers allow INR-based trading only during NSE hours (9 AM – 5 PM).

Is it legal to trade EUR/USD in India?

Only through international brokers. SEBI-regulated brokers do not allow non-INR pairs.

Do session overlaps matter in forex trading?

Yes, overlaps bring higher volume, volatility, and better trading opportunities, especially during London–New York hours.