Knowing the NSE/BSE Indian Market holidays 2026 isn’t just about planning vacations — it’s about managing your trades, investment strategies, and cash flow smartly. Whether you’re a day trader waiting for the next breakout or a long-term investor setting SIP reminders, keeping track of BSE and NSE holidays helps you stay one step ahead.
In this complete guide, we’ve listed all the trading holidays for 2026 — month-wise and exchange-wise — along with tips to plan your portfolio, adjust trading strategies, and make the most of non-trading days. Let’s make sure no surprise market closure catches you off guard this year.
Table Of Content
- How holidays affect trading and settlement
- Special sessions like Muhurat Trading
- Tips for traders and investors
- FAQs about market holidays
Why NSE/BSE Market Holidays Are Important
Holidays in the stock market are more than days off. They can affect your trading and investments in many ways:
- Trading Opportunities: You cannot buy or sell stocks on holidays. Planning is necessary to avoid missing opportunities.
- Settlement of Trades: India uses T+1 settlement, which means stocks or money move the next working day. Holidays can delay this.
- Liquidity and Volatility: Before and after holidays, markets can be less active. This can make prices change more quickly.
- Margins and Risk: Brokers may increase margin requirements around holidays.
- Corporate Actions: Dividends, bonus shares, or record dates may be affected by holidays.
Knowing the holiday schedule helps you plan trades and manage your portfolio better.
2026 Stock Market Holidays (BSE & NSE)
Here is the expected list of holidays for 2026. These are for equity and equity derivative segments. Always check the official BSE/NSE circulars before trading.
| Date | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| Jan 26, 2026 | Republic Day |
| Feb 15, 2026 | Maha Shivratri |
| Mar 03, 2026 | Holi |
| Mar 21, 2026 | Id‑ul‑Fitr (Eid) |
| Mar 27, 2026 | Ram Navami |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Mahavir Jayanti |
| Apr 03, 2026 | Good Friday |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Jayanti |
| May 01, 2026 | Maharashtra Day / Labor Day |
| May 27, 2026 | Bakri Id (Eid-al-Adha) |
| Jun 26, 2026 | Muharram |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Independence Day |
| Sep 14, 2026 | Ganesh Chaturthi |
| Oct 02, 2026 | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti |
| Oct 20, 2026 | Dussehra |
| Nov 08, 2026 | Diwali – Laxmi Pujan |
| Nov 09, 2026 | Diwali – Balipratipada |
| Nov 24, 2026 | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas |
Notes:
- Holidays that fall on weekends (like Feb 15 or Aug 15) usually do not get a substitute weekday off.
- Some holidays may include special sessions, like Muhurat Trading during Diwali.
Types of Stock Market Holidays 2026
- National Holidays: Observed across India. Examples: Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti.
- Religious / Cultural Holidays: Festivals like Holi, Diwali, Eid. These can differ slightly by region.
- Special / Unexpected Holidays: Declared by exchanges due to events like elections or government notifications.
Muhurat Trading in Stock Market 2026
Muhurat Trading is a short, special trading session on Diwali.
- Date (expected): Sunday, Nov 8, 2026
- Timing: Usually 1 hour in the evening (official timing announced by NSE/BSE)
- Why it matters: Trades in this session are real and will settle normally.
- Liquidity: Very thin, spreads may be high. Mostly symbolic or for small trades.
If you want to trade during Muhurat, check exchange circulars for exact timing and rules.
How Holidays Affect Settlement
India’s equity markets use a T+1 settlement cycle:
- Trade on Day T → Settlement happens next working day (T+1)
- If T+1 is a holiday, settlement shifts forward
Example:
- Trade date: Friday, Oct 2 (Gandhi Jayanti)
- Settlement date: Monday, Oct 5 (next working day)
Tip: Always check the clearing corporation’s holiday list to know exact settlement dates.
Pre-Holiday Checklist for Traders
Here’s what to do before a market holiday:
- Mark all holidays in your calendar for each segment (Equity, Derivatives, Commodity, Currency).
- Execute or cancel any pending orders.
- Ensure your broker account has enough funds or margin.
- Avoid placing large last-minute trades — markets are thin before holidays.
- If trading Muhurat, check the official session timing.
- Adjust your expected settlement dates according to the holiday calendar.
Market Behavior Around Holidays
- Thin liquidity: Fewer traders participate, which can cause price swings.
- Price gaps: Markets may open higher or lower after long holidays.
- Volatility spikes: Be careful, especially with stop-loss or overnight positions.
- Opportunities: Traders may use pre/post-holiday movements for short-term gains.
FAQs
Not always. Exchanges usually observe the official date only.
Not exactly. They may have different session closures or extra holidays.
No, it’s a short session, but all trades settle normally.
Check BSE and NSE websites under “Market Holidays” and clearing circulars.
Yes. Exchanges may declare special holidays anytime. Always check circulars.
Conclusion
Knowing the stock market holidays for 2026 is extremely important for both traders and investors. By planning your trades in advance, understanding how settlements work, and staying aware of special sessions like Muhurat Trading, you can avoid costly mistakes and make the most of market opportunities.
Pro tip: Always keep a copy of the 2026 holiday calendar and update it whenever official exchange circulars are released. Make sure to mark all the holidays in your personal calendar so that you never miss a trading day or a settlement.