If you’ve ever opened your trading app and found no price movement, the answer to why is the market closed today is almost always a scheduled holiday – NSE and BSE follow a published annual calendar, and both exchanges close on the same days since they operate under joint regulatory oversight.
Key Takeaways
- NSE and BSE always close on the same trading holidays – national holidays like Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, plus a handful of market-specific ones like Holi and Diwali.
- Diwali brings a special “Muhurat Trading” session – a short, symbolic trading window held in the evening even though it’s otherwise a market holiday.
- Markets can also see unscheduled early closures in rare circumstances, though this is uncommon and always announced in advance by the exchanges.
- The full annual holiday list is published by NSE and BSE well in advance, typically in December for the following year.
- Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) are always non-trading days, same as most global markets.
How Indian Stock Market Holidays Work
NSE and BSE both close for the same set of holidays each year, combining national public holidays with a few exchange-specific observances. This list typically includes 14-16 trading holidays annually, in addition to weekends. Because both major exchanges align their calendars, there’s no scenario where NSE is open while BSE is closed, or vice versa, for a regular holiday.
What Is Muhurat Trading?
Muhurat Trading is a short, symbolic trading session held every year on Diwali evening, considered an auspicious time to begin new financial ventures in Hindu tradition. It typically runs for about an hour in the evening, even though the exchanges are otherwise closed for the Diwali holiday that day. Many long-term investors use this session to make small, symbolic first trades of the new financial year, though trading volumes are generally much lower than a regular session.
Regular Trading Hours vs Special Sessions
| Session | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-market session | 9:00-9:08 AM IST | Sets an indicative opening price |
| Regular trading | 9:15 AM-3:30 PM IST | Standard trading day, Monday-Friday |
| Muhurat Trading | Evening, ~1 hour | Diwali only, symbolic low-volume session |
| Weekends | Closed | No trading Saturday or Sunday |
How to Check the Current Year’s Holiday List
NSE and BSE publish their holiday calendars directly on their own websites, usually released in December for the upcoming calendar year. Most trading apps also display the holiday calendar within the app itself, making it easy to check before placing a trade near a suspected holiday.
Why Markets Might Seem Closed Unexpectedly
Occasionally, a specific holiday might not be one you’d expect based on a regular calendar (some are decided based on regional or religious observance dates that shift year to year, like Holi or Eid). If the market appears closed and you weren’t expecting it, checking the exchange’s official holiday list resolves the confusion quickly – it’s rarely anything other than a scheduled holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trading holidays does the Indian stock market have each year?
Typically 14-16 holidays annually, in addition to weekends, though the exact number can vary slightly year to year.
What is Muhurat Trading?
A short, symbolic trading session held on Diwali evening, considered auspicious for starting new financial ventures, even though the exchange is otherwise closed that day.
Do NSE and BSE ever have different holiday schedules?
No, both exchanges observe the same holiday calendar for regular trading holidays.
Can the stock market close unexpectedly during a trading day?
This is rare and would only happen in extraordinary circumstances, always announced by the exchanges in advance or in real time if unavoidable.
Where can I find the official stock market holiday list?
Directly on NSE and BSE’s official websites, usually published in December for the following year, and often mirrored inside most trading apps.
Is the stock market open on weekends?
No, NSE and BSE are closed every Saturday and Sunday, same as most major global exchanges.
Planning Around Market Holidays
Knowing the holiday calendar matters most around expiry dates for F&O contracts and dividend record dates, where a holiday can shift the effective settlement or ex-date by a day. Checking the calendar at the start of each month takes a minute and avoids timing mistakes around these dates.
See also our guide to reading market news, the Market News section, or the Trade Day homepage.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Trading in securities, currencies, derivatives, and cryptocurrencies carries a high level of risk. Trade Day is not a registered investment advisor and has no affiliation with any broker, exchange, or platform mentioned unless explicitly stated. Do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making financial decisions.
