The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has unveiled its trading holiday calendar for 2026, revealing that the Indian stock market will be closed for a total of 15 days throughout the year. These holidays coincide with significant national events and major festivals, including Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti, as well as popular celebrations such as Diwali, Holi, and Eid.
A noteworthy aspect of the 2026 calendar is that five of the holidays fall on Fridays. This arrangement provides traders and investors with the opportunity to benefit from extended weekends. The following is a complete list of the trading holidays for the year:
2026 Trading Holidays
- January 26, 2026 (Monday) – Republic Day
- March 23, 2026 (Tuesday) – Holi
- March 26, 2026 (Thursday) – Labor Day
- March 31, 2026 (Tuesday) – Mahavir Jayanti
- April 3, 2026 (Friday) – Good Friday
- April 14, 2026 (Tuesday) – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Birth Anniversary
- May 1, 2026 (Friday) – Maharashtra Day
- May 28, 2026 (Thursday) – Eid al-Adha
- June 26, 2026 (Friday) – Muharram
- September 14, 2026 (Monday) – Ganesh Chaturthi
- October 2, 2026 (Friday) – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
- October 20, 2026 (Tuesday) – Dussehra
- November 10, 2026 (Tuesday) – Diwali – Balipratipada
- November 24, 2026 (Tuesday) – Prakash Gurpurab (Shri Guru Nanak Dev)
- December 25, 2026 (Friday) – Christmas
In addition to these holidays, a special trading session may take place on February 1, 2026. This session is anticipated as the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to present the Union Budget on that day. Traditionally, the markets remain open on Budget day to enable investors to respond promptly to government policy announcements.
Market analysts suggest that trading on Budget day often experiences heightened volatility, prompting investors to make careful decisions. The presence of significant market movement during this period underscores the importance of these trading holidays in planning investment strategies.
Overall, the NSE’s 2026 holiday calendar serves as a crucial tool for investors looking to navigate the market landscape effectively. Understanding these dates can aid in strategic decision-making and risk management.
