Stock Market Holidays 2026: NSE and BSE Holiday List

The Indian stock markets, mainly the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), play a big role in the country’s economy. Every year, these exchanges close on certain days for national holidays, religious festivals, and other important events. For 2026, there are 15 full trading holidays on weekdays. This means no trading in stocks, derivatives, or other segments on those days. Knowing these dates ahead of time helps everyone – from new investors to experienced traders – plan better.

Why do these holidays matter? They give people a break to celebrate with family, reflect on cultural traditions, and sometimes just rest. But for market participants, these closures affect buying, selling, portfolio adjustments, and even settlement of trades. Planning around them avoids surprises, like forgotten orders or delayed funds. In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything about the 2026 holidays, including the full list, special sessions, timings, and practical tips.

Stock Market Holiday 2026

Full List of Trading Holidays for NSE and BSE in 2026

Here is the complete list of days when the stock markets will be fully closed in 2026. These apply to both NSE and BSE for equity, derivatives, and most other segments.

January 26, 2026 (Monday) – Republic Day This national holiday celebrates the day India’s Constitution came into effect in 1950. It’s a proud moment for the country, with parades and flag-hoisting ceremonies everywhere.
March 3, 2026 (Tuesday) – Holi Known as the festival of colors, Holi marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. People throw colored powders, enjoy sweets, and forgive old grudges.
March 26, 2026 (Thursday) – Shri Ram Navami This day honors the birth of Lord Rama, a key figure in Hindu mythology. Temples are crowded with devotees reciting stories from the Ramayana.
March 31, 2026 (Tuesday) – Shri Mahavir Jayanti Jains celebrate the birth of Lord Mahavir, the last spiritual teacher of Jainism. It’s a day focused on non-violence, fasting, and charity.
April 3, 2026 (Friday) – Good Friday Christians observe this day remembering the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Many attend church services and reflect on sacrifice and forgiveness.
April 14, 2026 (Tuesday) – Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti This honors Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution and a champion for social justice, especially for marginalized communities.
May 1, 2026 (Friday) – Maharashtra Day Also known as Gujarat Day in some parts, it marks the formation of these states. In Mumbai, there are parades and cultural events.
May 28, 2026 (Thursday) – Bakri Id (Eid al-Adha) Muslims celebrate this festival of sacrifice, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to follow God’s command. Families share meals and give to the needy.
June 26, 2026 (Friday) – Muharram This is a solemn day for Muslims, marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Processions and prayers remember themes of justice and standing against oppression.
September 14, 2026 (Thursday) – Ganesh Chaturthi Devotees welcome Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, with elaborate idols, prayers, and modak sweets. The immersion processions are vibrant.
October 2, 2026 (Friday) – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti A national holiday honoring Gandhi’s birthday. It’s also International Day of Non-Violence, with events promoting peace and cleanliness drives.
October 20, 2026 (Tuesday) – Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) This celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, symbolizing good triumphing over evil. Effigies are burned, and plays reenact the epic.
November 10, 2026 (Tuesday) – Diwali Balipratipada (also known as Padwa) Part of the Diwali festivities, this day honors the victory of Lord Krishna over demon Narakasura and the bond between husband and wife.
November 24, 2026 (Tuesday) – Guru Nanak Jayanti (Prakash Gurpurb Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji) Sikhs celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism. Gurudwaras are lit up, with continuous readings of the holy book and community meals.
December 25, 2026 (Friday) – Christmas Christians and many others celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with decorations, carols, gifts, and family gatherings.

Notice how several holidays fall on Fridays in 2026. This creates long weekends – perfect for short trips or extra family time!

Holidays That Fall on Weekends in 2026

Some important days are on Saturdays or Sundays, when markets are closed anyway. No extra trading day is lost:

February 15, 2026 (Sunday) – Mahashivratri
March 21, 2026 (Saturday) – Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramadan Eid)
August 15, 2026 (Saturday) – Independence Day
November 8, 2026 (Sunday) – Diwali Laxmi Pujan

Even though markets aren’t affected extra, these are still significant culturally.

Special Muhurat Trading Session on Diwali

Diwali is special for traders. Even though Laxmi Pujan falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, there will be a one-hour Muhurat Trading session. This is considered auspicious for starting new investments or accounts. It marks the Hindu New Year (Samvat). The exact timings will be announced by NSE and BSE closer to the date, usually in the evening. Many people buy gold, stocks, or start ledgers on this day for good luck.

Stock Market Timings on Regular Days

On normal trading days (Monday to Friday, except holidays):

Pre-open session: 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM (for order entry and matching)
Main trading session: 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM
Closing session: Around 3:40 PM to 4:00 PM for post-closing trades

These timings help ensure fair price discovery and smooth operations.

Holidays for Commodity Markets (MCX)

Commodity trading, like gold, silver, or oil on MCX, sometimes differs. In 2026, full closures include Republic Day, Good Friday, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Diwali (with Muhurat), and Christmas. But on many festival days, the morning session might close while the evening one opens, since global markets influence commodities.

Settlement Holidays

These are days when trading happens, but clearing and settlement pause (no fund credits/debits):

February 19, 2026 (Thursday) – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti
April 1, 2026 (Wednesday) – Annual Bank Closing
August 27, 2026 (Thursday) – Id-E-Milad

Plan withdrawals or deposits carefully to avoid delays.

Why Knowing These Holidays Helps So Much

Stock market holidays aren’t just days off. They impact real decisions:

Planning Trades: You can decide when to buy or sell without rushing before a closure.
Managing Risks: Long weekends mean more time for global news to affect openings. Avoid holding risky positions if unsure.
Liquidity and Volatility: Trading volume drops before holidays, leading to bigger price swings. Smart traders watch this.
Personal Time: Use the breaks for learning, reviewing your portfolio, or spending time with loved ones.
Derivatives Expiry: If an expiry falls on a holiday, it’s shifted to the previous day.
Gap Openings: After long breaks, markets might open much higher or lower due to overnight events.

How These Holidays Affect the Market

Closures can lead to lower volumes beforehand, causing prices to fluctuate more. Global markets keep moving, so Indian stocks might gap up or down on reopening. For options traders, time decay (theta) continues even on holidays. Commodity traders benefit from partial sessions on some days.

Tips for Traders and Investors During Holiday Periods

Check global cues (US, Europe, Asia) when Indian markets are closed.
Avoid leveraged trades over long weekends unless very confident.
Review your holdings and set alerts.
Use apps for notifications on holidays and timings.
For beginners, these days are great to study market basics without pressure.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

January: One holiday (Republic Day) – a strong start to the year.
March: Three holidays – busy festival season.
April-May: Several, including Good Friday and labor-related days.
June to September: Spread out, with Muharram and Ganesh Chaturthi.
October-November: Festival peak with Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra, Diwali-related.
December: Christmas wraps up the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are NSE and BSE holidays the same?

Yes, almost always. They coordinate for smooth operations.

How to stay updated?

Check official NSE/BSE websites, your broker’s app, or reliable finance portals.

What if a holiday changes?

Exchanges announce updates via circulars.

In summary, the 2026 stock market holidays blend India’s rich cultural tapestry with practical needs. By marking these dates, you can trade smarter, reduce stress, and even enjoy the celebrations more. Whether you’re investing for the long term or trading daily, this calendar is your helpful companion for a successful year ahead. Stay informed, plan wisely, and happy investing!