Have you scheduled your investments around the upcoming NSE holidays? Throughout the year, Indian stock markets remain closed on certain days to observe national holidays, religious festivals, and other significant events.
Indian Stock Market Overview
The Indian stock market operates under the regulation of two primary exchanges: the National Stock Exchange (NSE)and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). While BSE boasts a legacy as Asia’s oldest stock exchange, NSE revolutionised trading in India by introducing a fully electronic trading system in the 1990s.
Founded in 1992, NSE played a pivotal role in modernizing India’s financial ecosystem, launching the Nifty 50 in 1996 — a benchmark index reflecting the performance of the country’s top 50 companies. Alongside Nifty 50, NSE offers indices such as Nifty Next 50, Nifty 100, Nifty Pharma, Nifty Metal, and Nifty Auto to track various sectors.
BSE, on the other hand, established the Sensex index as its hallmark, tracking the top 30 companies across multiple industries. Over time, it introduced broader indices like BSE 100, BSE 200, and BSE 500, as well as specialised ones like BSE Midcap, BSE Smallcap, BSE Auto, and BSE Metal.
Both NSE and BSE provide a wide range of trading instruments, including equities, derivatives, debt securities, and interest rate futures. Interestingly, their trading schedules and holiday calendars align closely, ensuring consistency across the markets.
Share Market Holidays in 2025
The Indian stock market will observe 14 trading holidays in the calendar year 2025. The stock exchanges BSE and NSE released the official list of holidays, outlining the schedule for the year. According to the list, there will be one holiday each in February, May, November, and December. Meanwhile, March and August will each have two holidays, while April and October will feature three holidays each.
The first trading holiday of the year is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, in observance of Mahashivratri. In March, the markets will remain closed on Friday, March 14, for Holi, and again on Monday, March 31, for Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramadan Eid).
April will have three holidays: Thursday, April 10, for Shri Mahavir Jayanti, Monday, April 14, for Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti, and Friday, April 18, for Good Friday.
Stock market holidays occur when major Indian exchanges, such as BSE and NSE, suspend trading in observance of festivals or national events. These holidays play a crucial role for investors, allowing them to plan their trading activities effectively around the equity market closures.
Understanding the stock market holiday calendar is crucial for strategic investment planning. Whether you are involved in equity trading, derivatives, or commodities, this guide offers all the information you need about stock market holidays in 2025.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 26 February 2025 | Wednesday | Maha Shivratri |
| 14 March 2025 | Friday | Holi |
| 31 March 2025 | Monday | Eid-Ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid) |
| 10 April 2025 | Thursday | Mahavir Jayanti |
| 14 April 2025 | Monday | Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti |
| 18 April 2025 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 01 May 2025 | Thursday | Maharashtra Day |
| 15 August 2025 | Friday | Independence Day |
| 27 August 2025 | Wednesday | Ganesh Chaturthi |
| 02 October 2025 | Thursday | Mahatma Gandi Jayanti/Dussehra |
| 21 October 2025 | Tuesday | Diwali-Laxmi Pujan (Muhurat trading session) |
| 22 October 2025 | Wednesday | Diwali-Balipratipada |
| 05 November 2025 | Wednesday | Gurunanak Jayanti |
| 25 December 2025 | Thursday | Christmas |
NSE Holidays on Saturdays & Sundays in 2025
In 2025, several holidays that typically result in stock market closures will fall on weekends, ensuring no disruption to regular trading hours. These holidays include:
- Republic Day: January 26 (Sunday)
- Shri Ram Navami: April 6 (Sunday)
- Bakri Id: June 7 (Saturday)
- Muharram: July 6 (Sunday)
Since these holidays coincide with weekends, there will be no additional stock market closures or impact on regular work and trading schedules.
Impact of Holidays on Stock Market Segments
On the specified holidays, trading will be completely halted across all segments of the Indian stock market, including:
- Equity Segment
- Equity Derivative Segment
- SLB (Securities Lending and Borrowing) Segment
- Currency Derivatives Segment
- Commodity Derivatives and Electronic Gold Receipts (EGR)
This means no trading activity will take place on platforms like the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) and the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) during the regular market hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Tips for Navigating Stock Market Holidays
- Plan Ahead: Know the holiday calendar well in advance to avoid last-minute surprises.
- Adjust Your Trading Strategy: Holidays can affect liquidity in the market, especially if they lead to extended weekends. Take this into account while executing trades.
- Global Market Monitoring: Since global markets might still be operational, assess international trends during Indian stock market holidays to prepare for any spillover effects.
- Diversify Your Portfolio: Invest in alternative instruments that may not be affected by Indian holidays.
In conclusion, stock market holidays are more than just days of closure; they are an integral part of India’s cultural and financial landscape. By understanding and preparing for these holidays, investors and traders can better manage their portfolios and align their strategies with market trends. Awareness of global market movements during Indian holidays and judicious planning can turn these breaks into opportunities for long-term financial growth.
FAQ
Are stock market holidays the same for both NSE and BSE?
Yes, the holidays are generally aligned for both exchanges, though there may occasionally be exceptions.
What is Muhurat Trading?
Muhurat Trading is a symbolic, short trading session conducted on Diwali. It is considered auspicious and is highly valued by the trading community.
Do global markets remain open during Indian stock market holidays?
Yes, global markets operate as per their regional schedules. It is crucial for Indian traders to monitor these markets, as trends can influence the Indian market upon reopening.
How are settlements affected by clearing holidays?
On clearing holidays, trade settlements are paused, meaning the execution of transactions and fund transfers may occur the next working day.
Can holidays impact the stock market’s performance?
Yes, holidays can influence liquidity, volatility, and investor sentiment, especially during extended breaks or near global economic events. By staying informed and proactive, investors can navigate the holiday season with confidence and make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.
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I’m Archana R. Chettiar, an experienced content creator with
an affinity for writing on personal finance and other financial content. I
love to write on equity investing, retirement, managing money, and more.
