How NSE and BSE trading holidays work, the weekend closure, the special Diwali Muhurat session, and how to plan orders — with the official exchange calendar as your source of truth.
How stock market holidays work
India's exchanges — the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE — publish a trading-holiday calendar every year. On these days the equity, derivatives (F&O) and currency segments do not trade at all. The list is set by the exchanges (not by the RBI bank-holiday calendar), so a day can be a stock-market holiday while banks are open, and vice-versa.
Because the dates are decided and occasionally amended by the exchanges, this page explains the system rather than reproducing an unofficial dated list. For the exact 2026 trading and settlement holidays, verify on the NSE website (nseindia.com) — that is the binding reference, with BSE mirroring it for the cash market.
Weekend closure
The market is closed on every Saturday and Sunday. Trading happens only on weekdays that are not declared holidays. There is no equivalent of the bank "2nd & 4th Saturday" rule — for the exchanges, all Saturdays are non-trading days (apart from rare special/mock sessions the exchange announces in advance).
Muhurat trading on Diwali
The one famous exception is Muhurat trading: a special, ceremonial one-hour session on Diwali (Laxmi Pujan) to inaugurate the Hindu Samvat new year. Diwali is otherwise a trading holiday, but the exchanges open this auspicious evening window. The exact date and timing are announced by NSE and BSE each year — watch for the circular ahead of Diwali 2026.
Segments and settlement
| Item | How holidays apply |
|---|
| Equity / cash market | NSE & BSE follow the same trading-holiday list |
| F&O and currency | Generally closed on the same equity trading holidays |
| Settlement (clearing) | A separate settlement-holiday list; can differ slightly from trading holidays |
| Commodities (MCX) | Its own calendar — verify separately if you trade commodities |
Confirm both the trading-holiday and settlement-holiday lists on the official NSE calendar for 2026.
Planning trades around holidays
You can still queue After-Market Orders (AMO) with most brokers while the market is closed; they are released to the exchange when it next opens, and execute only during live hours on a trading day. If you are tracking a public issue, remember that IPO timelines (bidding, allotment, listing) are scheduled around trading days too — follow the live IPO calendar and GMP tracker. Banks keep their own schedule, so cross-check the bank holidays 2026 page when funding your trades, and use the CAGR calculator to annualise any returns you make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the stock market open on Saturday and Sunday?
No. NSE and BSE are closed on every Saturday and Sunday for the equity, F&O and currency segments. Trading happens only on weekdays, and even then only on days that are not declared trading holidays by the exchanges.
How many stock market holidays are there in 2026?
The exchanges publish a list of trading holidays each year — typically around 13–15 full-day equity trading holidays, separate from weekends. The exact count and dates are set by NSE and BSE and can be revised, so confirm the official 2026 trading-holiday list on the NSE website rather than a third-party calendar.
Are NSE and BSE holidays the same?
For the equity segment they are almost always identical — both exchanges follow the same trading-holiday calendar so the cash market is uniformly open or closed. Settlement holidays (when clearing/settlement does not happen) are published separately and can differ slightly.
What is Muhurat trading?
Muhurat trading is a special one-hour ceremonial session held on Diwali (Laxmi Pujan) to mark the start of the Hindu Samvat new year. Even though Diwali is otherwise a holiday, the exchanges open this auspicious window in the evening; the exact date and timing are announced by NSE/BSE each year.
Does the commodity (MCX) market follow the same holidays?
Not exactly. MCX publishes its own holiday calendar, and commodity trading often has morning and evening sessions with holiday rules that can differ from the equity market. Check the MCX calendar separately if you trade commodities.
Can I place orders when the market is closed?
You can place After-Market Orders (AMO) with most brokers while the market is shut; they queue and are sent to the exchange when it next opens. The orders only execute during live market hours on a trading day, not on a holiday.
Where is the official 2026 stock market holiday list?
The authoritative source is the National Stock Exchange (nseindia.com) holiday section, with BSE publishing a matching list. Always verify the trading and settlement holidays there, as the exchange calendar is the binding reference and dates are occasionally amended.
Estimates are for information and education only — not financial, tax or investment advice. Verify current rates and rules with official sources.