The National Stock Exchange (NSE) plays a crucial role in India’s financial markets, facilitating trading across equities, derivatives, and commodities. However, traders and investors need to be aware of NSE holidays when the stock market remains closed. Understanding these stock market holidays helps in planning trading strategies and ensuring smooth investment decisions.
The NSE follows a fixed holiday schedule for equity, equity derivatives, and commodity markets. These holidays may vary based on weekends, national events, or religious celebrations. Staying updated with the stock market holidays is essential for traders, investors, and institutions involved in financial markets.
Why knowing NSE holidays is important
Understanding the NSE holiday calendar is beneficial for several reasons. Whether you are an active trader or a long-term investor, being aware of when the stock market is closed can help you make better trading decisions.
Prevents trading disruptions – Traders can plan their investments around market closures to avoid liquidity issues.
Helps in portfolio management – Investors can adjust their holdings ahead of holidays to prevent unexpected market reactions.
Enables better risk management – Knowing market holidays allows traders to mitigate risks in volatile conditions.
Affects global trading strategies – International traders dealing with Indian stocks must be aware of NSE holidays to avoid unexpected closures.
Important for settlement processes – Stocks and derivatives require proper settlement timelines, and holidays can impact these transactions.
NSE holiday calendar for 2025
The NSE observes several holidays across different segments, including equities, F&O (futures and options), and commodities. Below is a list of stock market holidays for 2024.
Equity and equity derivatives market holidays
The equity and equity derivatives segments remain closed on these days. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the market remains closed as per regular trading norms.
Date
Day
Holiday
26 January
Friday
Republic Day
8 March
Friday
Mahashivratri
25 March
Monday
Holi
29 March
Friday
Good Friday
11 April
Thursday
Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid)
17 April
Wednesday
Ram Navami
1 May
Wednesday
Maharashtra Day
17 June
Monday
Bakri Id
15 August
Thursday
Independence Day
2 October
Wednesday
Gandhi Jayanti
1 November
Friday
Diwali (Laxmi Pujan)
25 December
Wednesday
Christmas
Commodity and currency market holidays
The commodity and currency markets have a separate holiday schedule, with some markets opening in the evening session even when closed in the morning.
Commodity market holidays (MCX and NCDEX)
Commodity trading holidays differ slightly from equity markets, as they may operate in an evening session.
Date
Day
Holiday
Morning Session
Evening Session
26 January
Friday
Republic Day
Closed
Closed
8 March
Friday
Mahashivratri
Closed
Open
25 March
Monday
Holi
Closed
Open
29 March
Friday
Good Friday
Closed
Closed
1 May
Wednesday
Maharashtra Day
Closed
Open
15 August
Thursday
Independence Day
Closed
Closed
2 October
Wednesday
Gandhi Jayanti
Closed
Closed
1 November
Friday
Diwali (Laxmi Pujan)
Closed
Open
25 December
Wednesday
Christmas
Closed
Closed
Trading on special occasions
On special occasions like Diwali Muhurat trading, the stock market opens for a short window in the evening, allowing investors to participate in auspicious trading. This is a long-standing tradition in Indian markets and is considered a good time for new investments. The exact timing for this session is announced by the NSE closer to Diwali.
How NSE holidays impact trading activities
The closure of the stock market on NSE holidays affects traders and investors in multiple ways.
Liquidity fluctuations – Market closures can lead to sudden price changes before and after a holiday.
Delayed settlements – Transactions pending before holidays may take longer to settle due to non-working days.
Impact on international markets – Foreign investors trading in Indian markets need to adjust their strategies around NSE holidays.
Sectoral influence – Some sectors, such as commodities, may experience greater volatility due to differing trading hours.
Trading volume reduction – Activity typically slows down before long holiday weekends, leading to lower market participation.
Planning investments around NSE holidays
Being aware of stock market holidays helps investors and traders plan their strategies effectively. Here are some useful tips:
Avoid trading right before long holidays – Market liquidity tends to decrease, which can lead to unexpected price swings.
Check settlement timelines – If you are investing in stocks or derivatives, ensure your trades do not face delays due to holidays.
Monitor global events – Since international markets may remain open, global news can impact the Indian market post-holidays.
Prepare for increased volatility – The first trading session after a long break may see sharp price movements.
How to stay updated on NSE holidays
To keep track of NSE holidays, traders and investors can use multiple sources:
NSE website – The official website of the National Stock Exchange provides updated information on trading holidays.
Trading apps and brokers – Most trading platforms and brokerage firms provide holiday alerts and market notifications.
Financial news portals – Regular updates on market closures and trading schedules are available on business news websites.
Economic calendars – Various financial tools provide market holiday schedules alongside economic event updates.
Conclusion
Understanding NSE holidays is essential for anyone involved in stock trading and investments. The stock market follows a structured holiday calendar, which affects trading volumes, liquidity, and settlement cycles. Being aware of these stock market holidays helps investors manage their portfolios efficiently and avoid trading disruptions. Keeping track of market closures ensures better financial planning and minimises trading risks. As financial markets continue to evolve, staying informed about NSE holidays remains a key aspect of successful investment strategies.
