The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has released the official trading holiday calendar for 2026, revealing a notable surprise for investors: there will be no full market closure on Diwali, as the festival falls on a Sunday this year. For traders and market participants, knowing the holiday schedule is crucial for portfolio planning, derivatives strategies, and liquidity management.
2026 Trading Holidays Overview
In 2026, equity, equity derivatives, and currency derivatives markets will remain closed for a total of 15 days. Key holidays include:
- 26 January: Republic Day
- 3 March: Holi
- 26 March: Ram Navami
- 31 March: Mahavir Jayanti
- 3 April: Good Friday
- 14 April: Ambedkar Jayanti
- 1 May: Maharashtra Day
- 28 May: Bakri-Eid
Other notable closures are:
- 26 June: Muharram
- 14 September: Ganesh Chaturthi
- 2 October: Gandhi Jayanti
- 20 October: Dussehra
- 10 November: Diwali Balipratipada
- 24 November: Guru Nanak Jayanti
- 25 December: Christmas
Special Note on Diwali
Although Diwali traditionally sees a market holiday, this year the festival coincides with Sunday, 8 November, which means the market will remain closed for the weekend but will hold a special Muhurat trading session. This one-hour session will allow investors to trade during the auspicious period, with exact timings to be announced later.
Importance for Investors and Traders
Being aware of the trading holiday schedule helps investors plan portfolio rebalancing, derivatives expiry strategies, and settlement cycles. Market liquidity and cash flow are also affected by closures, making it critical for active traders, particularly in index options and commodities, to stay informed.
Outlook for 2026
Global and domestic brokerage firms remain optimistic about the Indian equity market in 2026. After significant volatility in 2025, firms like Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and Goldman Sachs believe the market could recover if corporate earnings stabilize and government policies support growth. ICICI Direct projects the Nifty could reach 30,000, while Kotak Securities sets a target of 32,032, signaling a potentially strong year ahead for Indian equities.
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