Even as most global equity markets remain closed on Thursday, January 1, Indian stock exchanges—the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE)—will operate as usual, offering domestic investors a rare full trading day amid a global shutdown. Commodity markets will also remain partially active, with the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) and the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) open for the daytime session from 9 am to 5 pm, while the evening session will remain suspended.
Globally, New Year’s Day has brought trading activity to a halt across major financial centres. Stock exchanges in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States are all closed on January 1. Adding to the lull, exchanges in China and Japan are observing an extended New Year break and will remain shut on Friday, January 2 as well, further dampening international market participation.
Against this backdrop, Indian markets stand out for maintaining operations, reflecting the country’s distinct holiday calendar and providing continuity for domestic traders. Market participants, however, may witness relatively subdued volumes due to limited global cues and the absence of overseas investors.
Meanwhile, Indian exchanges have released the official trading holiday calendar for 2026, giving investors and traders early clarity on non-trading days across equity, derivatives and currency segments. Issued in accordance with exchange bye-laws and futures and options (F&O) norms, the calendar lists 15 full trading holidays for the year—one more than in the current year—along with holidays that coincide with weekends and details related to the annual Muhurat Trading session.
According to the calendar, equity, equity derivatives and currency derivatives markets will remain closed on 15 occasions in 2026. The first trading holiday falls on Republic Day, January 26. This is followed by a cluster of closures in March and April, including Holi on March 3, Ram Navami on March 26, Mahavir Jayanti on March 31 and Good Friday on April 3. Markets will also be shut for Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14 and Maharashtra Day on May 1.
Other notable holidays include Eid al-Adha on May 28 and Muharram on June 26. In the second half of the year, trading will be suspended for Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14, Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 and Dussehra on October 20. The festive season will see markets closed on Diwali Balipratipada on November 10, followed by Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 24. The final trading holiday of the year will be Christmas on December 25.
One notable omission from the list is Diwali itself. In 2026, the festival falls on a Sunday and therefore does not qualify as a separate trading holiday, though exchanges are expected to conduct the customary Muhurat Trading session as per tradition.
The early release of the 2026 holiday calendar is expected to help investors, traders and market intermediaries plan portfolios, settlements and trading strategies more efficiently throughout the year.