This article provides the officially observed NSE and BSE holidays, focusing on trading-day closures only. Regional public holidays, bank-only holidays, and unofficial observances are intentionally excluded to maintain accuracy and relevance.
What Qualifies as an Indian Stock Market Holiday
An Indian stock market holiday is a day when:
- Equity, equity derivatives, and currency markets are closed
- Trading does not take place on NSE or BSE
- No intraday or delivery-based transactions can be executed
These holidays are notified jointly by the exchanges and apply uniformly across India.
NSE and BSE: Holiday Structure Explained
Both NSE and BSE follow the same holiday calendar for equity markets. If one exchange is closed, the other is closed as well.
Markets That Remain Closed on Holidays
- Equity segment
- Equity derivatives (F&O)
- Currency derivatives
Markets That May Remain Open
- Commodity markets (MCX) follow a separate holiday calendar
- International markets are unaffected
Stock Market Holidays 2026: NSE and BSE Full List
Below is the confirmed list of stock market holidays 2026 applicable to both NSE and BSE for equity trading.
January 2026
- January 26 (Monday) – Republic Day
February 2026
- February 18 (Wednesday) – Mahashivratri
March 2026
- March 6 (Friday) – Holi
April 2026
- April 2 (Thursday) – Mahavir Jayanti
- April 3 (Friday) – Good Friday
- April 14 (Tuesday) – Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Jayanti
May 2026
- May 1 (Friday) – Maharashtra Day
August 2026
- August 15 (Saturday) – Independence Day
- August 19 (Wednesday) – Ganesh Chaturthi
October 2026
- October 2 (Friday) – Gandhi Jayanti
- October 22 (Thursday) – Dussehra
November 2026
- November 9 (Monday) – Diwali (Laxmi Pujan)*
- November 10 (Tuesday) – Diwali Balipratipada
*On Diwali (Laxmi Pujan), Muhurat Trading is conducted for a limited time window, which is announced separately by NSE and BSE.
Weekends and Market Closures
Apart from declared holidays:
- All Saturdays and Sundays are non-trading days
- No compensatory trading days are provided if a holiday falls on a weekend
For example:
- Independence Day 2026 falls on a Saturday, resulting in a regular weekend closure only
Muhurat Trading: Special Case in Indian Markets
Muhurat Trading is a symbolic trading session held on Diwali.
Key points:
- Conducted for a short, fixed duration
- Applies to equity and derivative segments
- Considered an auspicious trading window, not a full trading day
Exact timings are released closer to Diwali by the exchanges.
How Stock Market Holidays Affect Trading and Settlement
Understanding indian stock market holidays is essential because they directly affect:
Trade Execution
- No buy or sell orders are executed on holidays
- GTT and intraday orders remain inactive
Settlement Cycles
- Settlement timelines shift if a holiday falls between T+1 or T+2 cycles
- Fund and share credits may be delayed
Corporate Actions
- Record dates and ex-dates avoid market holidays
- Dividend and bonus timelines may adjust accordingly
Difference Between Stock Market Holidays and Bank Holidays
A common point of confusion is assuming bank holidays and market holidays are the same. They are not.
- Banks may be open when markets are closed
- Markets may be open when banks are closed
For trading-related activities, only NSE and BSE holiday notifications matter.
Why Traders and Investors Track Market Holidays Closely
Market participants rely on the holiday calendar to:
- Plan entry and exit strategies
- Avoid order placement errors
- Align compliance deadlines
- Manage margin and settlement obligations
Even long-term investors benefit from understanding non-trading days to avoid timing miscalculations.
Where Official Holiday Updates Are Announced
While the list above reflects the confirmed calendar:
- NSE and BSE publish updates on their official websites
- Brokers may notify clients of last-minute changes
- Rare emergency closures are announced separately
Checking official exchange notices is recommended during volatile periods.
