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Indian Stock Market Holidays in 2025

Discover the complete list of Indian Stock Market Holidays 2025 for BSE and NSE. Learn how to plan your trades effectively around non-trading days
Nitesh

Imagine you're ready to buy or sell some shares, but suddenly you find the stock market is closed. Your trade is delayed, your plan is affected, and you feel confused. This happens when we forget to check the stock market holiday calendar. For every trader and investor, it is important to know when the market is open and when it's closed. This helps in better planning and avoids unnecessary surprises.

In India, the stock market is mainly operated through two big exchanges – the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Both are very important and handle millions of trades daily. But like every other system, even the Indian stock market takes a break on certain days.

Understanding Indian stock market holidays is not just about dates. It’s about understanding the system, planning trades smartly, managing risk, and becoming a more confident investor or trader.

Understanding the Landscape of Indian Stock Market Holidays

Regulatory Framework

Stock market holidays in India are officially declared by NSE and BSE, usually at the end of the previous year. These holidays are planned in coordination with other financial authorities and are published on their official websites (you can check on the NSE India website and BSE India website).

The decisions are made by considering:

  • National holidays observed across India,
  • Important religious and cultural festivals, and
  • Any special conditions like elections or government-declared public holidays.

These exchanges plan the holidays carefully to ensure there is minimum disruption in trading and settlement.

Types of Market Holidays

Let’s understand the different kinds of holidays when the Indian stock market remains closed:

National Holidays
These are holidays celebrated throughout the country. Markets are always closed on:

  • Republic Day (26th January)
  • Independence Day (15th August)
  • Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October)

Festival Holidays
India is a land of festivals, and many of them are considered for market closures:

  • Holi
  • Diwali
  • Eid
  • Christmas
  • Ram Navami, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Ganesh Chaturthi, and more.

Depending on the year and location, the list may slightly change.

Special Circumstances
Very rarely, the market may remain closed due to:

  • Natural calamities
  • Technical issues
  • Government orders (like during the COVID lockdown in 2020)

Impact on Different Market Segments

Holidays affect different parts of the market in various ways.

Equity Market
Equity trades follow a T+1 settlement cycle, meaning that if you buy or sell shares today, the transaction is settled the next working day. If there’s a holiday in between, the settlement gets delayed. For example:

If you sell shares on a Thursday and Friday is a holiday, your settlement will happen on Tuesday, not Monday.

Derivatives Market
In the derivatives market, holidays can affect the expiry dates of contracts. If the expiry date falls on a holiday, it gets preponed to the previous trading day.

Commodity Market (MCX)
The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) may have a slightly different holiday list. It can be closed for the morning session but open for the evening, or vice versa. Always check the MCX India website for exact details.

The Official 2025 Indian Stock Market Holiday Calendar (and Beyond)

Below is the holiday list for Indian stock markets in 2025:

Date Day Holiday
January 1 Wednesday New Year’s Day
January 26 Sunday Republic Day
March 17 Monday Holi
April 14 Monday Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti
April 18 Friday Good Friday
May 1 Thursday Maharashtra Day
August 15 Friday Independence Day
August 28 Thursday Raksha Bandhan
October 2 Thursday Gandhi Jayanti
October 31 Friday Diwali Laxmi Pujan (Evening Session Only)
November 1 Saturday Diwali Balipratipada
December 25 Thursday Christmas

Note: The list is subject to change as per the exchanges’ official notification.

Make sure to check:

  • Date
  • Day of the week
  • Occasion or reason

It helps in advance planning of your trades and investments.

Anticipating Future Holiday Trends

While 2025 has a fixed list of holidays, most Indian stock market holidays follow a similar pattern every year. National holidays remain on fixed dates, but many festivals change every year as they are based on the lunar calendar. For example:

  • Diwali, Eid, and Holi don’t have fixed dates and shift slightly every year.

To stay prepared:

  • Regularly check the official NSE and BSE websites for future calendars.
  • Subscribe to financial news apps that notify you about upcoming holidays.

Muhurat Trading

One unique feature in the Indian stock market is Muhurat Trading, held during Diwali. It's a special trading session conducted in the evening, usually for 1 hour.

Why is it special?

  • It’s considered auspicious to start new investments during this time.
  • Many traders and investors perform symbolic trades for good luck.
  • While the volume may be low, the sentiment is usually positive.

NSE and BSE announce the exact timings and date for Muhurat trading every year around October.

Strategic Implications for Investors and Traders

Planning Trades and Settlement

Understanding holidays helps you plan your trades better. Here’s how:

  • Always check the calendar before placing a trade.
  • Don’t plan important trades just before a long weekend or festival holiday.
  • Be cautious of the settlement delay during holidays.

Example:
You buy shares on a Wednesday, and Thursday is a holiday, then the transaction settles on Friday instead of Thursday.

Managing Risk During Holiday Periods

Holiday periods often see:

  • Low trading volumes
  • High volatility, especially before long weekends

This means prices can move unpredictably due to fewer buyers/sellers. So:

  • Avoid large positions just before a holiday.
  • Always place a stop-loss to manage risk.
  • Consider reducing exposure in volatile stocks.

Long-Term Investors and Holidays

If you're a long-term investor, holidays won't affect your investment much. But being aware helps you:

  • Understand why the market isn't moving on a particular day.
  • Read your portfolio reports correctly.
  • Track dividends or IPO allotments accurately.

It’s also helpful when you schedule regular investments through SIPs or plan to sell for financial goals.

Impact on IPOs and Other Market Events

If you’re applying for an IPO or waiting for an allotment, holidays can delay:

  • Listing dates
  • Refund processes
  • Share credit to demat accounts

Similarly, other events like buybacks, dividends, and rights issues may also get delayed around holiday seasons.

Staying Updated and Reliable Resources

Official Exchange Websites
For the most reliable information, always refer to:

These sites update the calendar well in advance and are the final authority for holiday dates.

Reputable Financial News Outlets

Apart from official sites, many reputed websites also publish the holiday list. These include:

These sites are trustworthy and update regularly.

Avoiding Misinformation

Many times, holiday information spreads through social media, WhatsApp, or unverified sources. Always cross-check with official exchange announcements. Relying on fake holiday lists can lead to poor trade execution and losses.

Let’s recap what we’ve learned:

  • Indian stock markets follow a well-planned holiday calendar.
  • National and festival holidays are the main reasons for closure.
  • These holidays affect trading, settlement, IPOs, and volatility.
  • Being aware of them helps in strategic planning and risk management.
  • Always check the NSE and BSE websites for confirmed and latest updates.

 


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