Leading Indian stock exchange, the National Stock Exchange (NSE), has released its official trading holiday calendar for 2026, providing traders and investors with important insights regarding non-trading days. The calendar indicates 15 full trading holidays, an increase from last year, and emphasizes significant festivals that fall on weekends. Importantly, it also specifies the date for the traditional Muhurat Trading session, a key event for market participants.
Full Trading Holidays in 2026
The NSE has set 15 days in 2026 when equity, equity derivatives, and currency markets will be closed. The holiday schedule begins with Republic Day on January 26 and includes several major festivals throughout the year. Significant holidays are Holi on March 3, Ram Navami on March 26, and Mahavir Jayanti on March 31. Other notable dates include Good Friday on April 3, Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14, and Maharashtra Day on May 1. In the latter half of the year, markets will be closed for Muharram on June 26, Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14, and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, among others. It is important to note that there will be no trading holiday for Diwali Laxmi Pujan, as it falls on a Sunday.
Weekend Festivals and Muhurat Trading
In 2026, four major festivals will align with weekends, meaning there will be no market closure on those days. These festivals include Mahashivratri on February 15, Eid-ul-Fitr on March 21, Independence Day on August 15, and Diwali Laxmi Pujan on November 8. Nevertheless, the NSE will hold its customary Muhurat Trading session on November 8, which consists of a one-hour trading window occurring on Diwali. The timing for this auspicious trading session will be disclosed closer to the festival date, allowing traders ample time to prepare for this significant event.
Importance of the Holiday Calendar for Traders
The release of the trading holiday calendar is vital for market participants as it assists in planning diverse trading strategies. Traders can leverage this information to modify their portfolios, develop strategies for derivatives expiry, and manage liquidity around global market timings. Recognizing non-trading days is critical for predicting how holidays may influence weekly and monthly index expiries, which can significantly impact short-term trading behavior, especially for options traders. By being informed about these holidays, traders can navigate the market landscape more effectively and make well-informed decisions.
Market Outlook for 2026
Looking towards the future, several brokerages are optimistic regarding the Indian equity market’s performance in 2026, expecting a recovery after a volatile 2025. Analysts from firms such as Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and Goldman Sachs speculate that the markets may regain lost ground as earnings stabilize and policy support strengthens. ICICI Direct predicts that the Nifty index could approach the 30,000 mark, highlighting historical trends of strong rallies following corrective phases. Meanwhile, Kotak Securities has set a more ambitious target of 32,032 for the Nifty by December 2026, concentrating on banking, financial services, and information technology stocks.
Digihunt is not a financial advisor and this is not investment advice.
