NSE Holidays 2026: Full List of Stock Market Holidays and Trading Schedule
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Staying ahead of the market isn't just about tracking Nifty 50 or analyzing candle patterns—it’s also about knowing when the "shop" is closed. Whether you are a day trader or a long-term investor, the NSE Holiday List 2026 is your roadmap for planning liquidity, managing settlement cycles, and, of course, taking some well-deserved breaks.
In 2026, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has scheduled 16 trading holidays that fall on weekdays. Additionally, several major festivals coincide with weekends, which means no extra trading downtime for those specific dates.
Here is your comprehensive guide to the NSE 2026 calendar, Muhurat trading, and how to stay profitable even when the bells aren't ringing.
Complete NSE Holiday Calendar 2026
The following list applies to the Equity, Equity Derivatives, and SLB Segments. If you are a commodity trader, note that the MCX/NSE Commodity segment often has "half-day" sessions (morning closed, evening open) on some of these dates.
Date | Day | Occasion |
January 15, 2026 | Thursday | Municipal Corporation Election - Maharashtra |
January 26, 2026 | Monday | Republic Day |
March 03, 2026 | Tuesday | Holi |
March 26, 2026 | Thursday | Shri Ram Navami |
March 31, 2026 | Tuesday | Shri Mahavir Jayanti |
April 03, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
April 14, 2026 | Tuesday | Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti |
May 01, 2026 | Friday | Maharashtra Day |
May 28, 2026 | Thursday | Bakri Id |
June 26, 2026 | Friday | Muharram |
September 14, 2026 | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi |
October 02, 2026 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti |
October 20, 2026 | Tuesday | Dussehra |
November 10, 2026 | Tuesday | Diwali-Balipratipada |
November 24, 2026 | Tuesday | Prakash Gurpurb Sri Guru Nanak Dev |
December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas |
Weekend Holidays: The "Lost" Market Holidays
In 2026, some of India's biggest festivals fall on Saturdays or Sundays. While these are celebrated nationwide, they don't provide an extra day off for the markets because trading is already suspended on weekends.
Mahashivratri: February 15, 2026 (Sunday)
Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramadan Eid): March 21, 2026 (Saturday)
Independence Day: August 15, 2026 (Saturday)
Diwali Laxmi Pujan: November 08, 2026 (Sunday)
Note: While November 8 is a Sunday, the market will open for a special session (Muhurat Trading).
Muhurat Trading 2026: An Auspicious Hour
Muhurat Trading is a 50-year-old tradition at the Indian stock exchanges. It is a symbolic trading session held on the day of Diwali (Laxmi Pujan) to welcome prosperity for the New Year (Samvat).
Date: Sunday, November 08, 2026
Expected Timing: Typically held in the evening (e.g., 6:15 PM to 7:15 PM). The exact window is usually notified by the NSE 1–2 weeks before Diwali.
Significance: Many investors buy "token" shares of blue-chip companies during this hour, as it is believed to bring good fortune.
How Traders Should Plan During Market Holidays
Market holidays are more than just days off; they affect your money's movement. Here is how to handle them like a pro:
1. Watch the Settlement Cycle
India operates on a T+1 settlement cycle. If you sell shares on a Wednesday and Thursday is a market holiday, your funds will likely reach your account on Friday. Always check for "Settlement Holidays" (days when the market is open but banks/clearing houses are closed), such as Gudi Padwa (March 19, 2026) or Annual Bank Closing (April 1, 2026).
2. Manage Margin and F&O Positions
If you have open positions in Futures and Options (F&O), remember that "Theta" (time decay) doesn't take a holiday. If there is a long weekend, option sellers might benefit from the time decay, but buyers face the risk of "opening gaps" if global news breaks while the NSE is shut.
3. Plan for Long Weekends
2026 features several long weekends (e.g., Good Friday, Maharashtra Day, and Christmas). Liquidity often dries up on the Thursday preceding a long weekend as traders "lighten" their positions. If you are a swing trader, ensure your stop-losses are in place to protect against volatility when the market reopens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is the stock market closed on Gudi Padwa 2026?
No. While Gudi Padwa (March 19, 2026) is a significant festival in Maharashtra, it is not a trading holiday for the Equity segment. However, it is a settlement holiday
Q2: How many total NSE holidays are there in 2026?
There are 16 declared trading holidays that fall on weekdays.
Q3: Can I trade commodities on NSE holidays?
Yes, for many holidays, the commodity market (MCX/NSE) remains closed in the morning session (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) but opens for the evening session (5:00 PM – 11:30/11:55 PM) to align with global markets.
Q4: Does the market close during a Solar or Lunar Eclipse?
No, the stock market does not close for eclipses. It only closes for the dates officially mentioned in the NSE/BSE circular.
Others:
Ready to start your investment journey?
Open a Demat Account today and be ready for the next Muhurat Trading session!
Conclusion
The 2026 NSE holiday calendar is fairly balanced, offering several long weekends for traders to recharge. However, the overlap of major festivals like Independence Day and Diwali with weekends means fewer "extra" holidays compared to previous years. Stay updated with the Official NSE Holiday Page for any last-minute changes due to sudden government notifications.
Comments