Description

NSE announces mock trading session for F&O segment on November 22, 2025 to test pre-open session functionality and mandatory upgrade to NEAT+ version 7.8.6.

Summary

NSE is conducting a mandatory mock trading session on Saturday, November 22, 2025 for the Futures & Options segment to test the new pre-open session feature. The exchange will discontinue NEAT+ version 7.8.5 and introduce version 7.8.6 effective from the mock session. All trading members must download and use the latest NEAT+ version 7.8.6 from November 22, 2025 onwards.

Key Points

  • Mock trading session scheduled for November 22, 2025 with three trading sessions
  • NEAT+ version 7.8.6 will be introduced and version 7.8.5 will be discontinued
  • Pre-open session will be tested only in Trading Session-1 (09:00 to 11:00 hrs)
  • Pre-open session applicable only for November & December month futures contracts (FUTIDX & FUTSTK)
  • Members must actively participate in all three trading sessions
  • New NEAT+ 7.8.6 available for download from November 21, 2025 at 19:00 hrs
  • Download path: /faoftp/faocommon/NEATPlus786 on NSE Extranet
  • After November 22, 2025, only NEAT+ versions 7.8.4 and 7.8.6 will be available

Regulatory Changes

Introduction of Pre-Open Session in Equity Derivatives (F&O) Segment as per circular NSE/FAOP/71092 dated November 03, 2025. This represents a significant change to the trading workflow for futures and options contracts.

Compliance Requirements

For Trading Members:

  1. Download NEAT+ version 7.8.6 from NSE Extranet before November 22, 2025
  2. Participate actively in all three mock trading sessions on November 22, 2025
  3. Use NEAT+ version 7.8.6 for placing orders in pre-open session
  4. Load master files (contract.gz, NSE_FO_contract_22112025.csv) available on NSE Extranet (Path: /faoftp/faocommon/Mock/22Nov2025) before 8:30 hrs on November 22, 2025
  5. For live trading on November 24, 2025, download master files generated after end-of-day activities on November 21, 2025
  6. Discontinue use of NEAT+ version 7.8.5 from November 22, 2025

Important Dates

November 21, 2025:

  • 19:00 hrs - NEAT+ version 7.8.6 available for download

November 22, 2025 (Mock Trading):

  • Trading Session-1 (Primary Site with Pre-Open):

    • 09:00 hrs - Pre-open session opens
    • 09:45 hrs - Pre-open session closes (random closure in last one minute)
    • 10:00 hrs - Normal market opens
    • 11:00 hrs - Normal market closes
  • Trading Session-2 (Primary Site without Pre-Open):

    • 16:30 hrs - Normal market opens
    • 17:30 hrs - Normal market closes
  • Trading Session-3 (DR Site without Pre-Open):

    • 18:15 hrs - Normal market opens
    • 18:45 hrs - Normal market closes
    • 18:55 hrs - Trade modification end time
  • Live Re-login:

    • 19:30 hrs - Live re-login start time
    • 20:00 hrs - Live re-login close time
  • NEAT+ version 7.8.5 discontinued (mock session)

November 24, 2025:

  • Live trading resumes with new pre-open session functionality

December 06, 2025:

  • NEAT+ version 7.8.4 discontinuation date (mock)

Impact Assessment

Operational Impact:

  • All F&O trading members must upgrade their trading systems to NEAT+ 7.8.6
  • Members using version 7.8.5 will be unable to trade after November 22, 2025
  • Introduction of pre-open session will change order placement workflows for November and December futures contracts
  • Three separate mock trading sessions require member participation and system testing
  • Orders and trades from Trading Session-1 will not carry over to Trading Session-2

Market Impact:

  • Pre-open session will improve price discovery for equity derivatives
  • Random closure mechanism in pre-open session (last one minute) introduces new trading dynamics
  • Limited to index futures (FUTIDX) and stock futures (FUTSTK) for November and December expiries initially
  • No impact on options contracts during initial pre-open implementation

Technical Impact:

  • Members must ensure compatibility with new NEAT+ version 7.8.6
  • Master file loading requirements add operational steps before mock trading
  • Separate master files required for mock session versus live trading on November 24, 2025

Impact Justification

Mandatory software upgrade affecting all F&O trading members with specific mock trading participation required to test new pre-open session functionality