Stock Market Holiday: BSE and NSE to Close on June 26 for Muharram

Investors on Dalal Street are bracing for an extended weekend as the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) remain closed on June 26. This scheduled closure, observed on account of Muharram, marks the second exchange holiday in less than a month following the Bakri Id break on May 28.

Trading Status for NSE, BSE, and Commodity Exchanges

While the primary equity exchanges, NSE and BSE, will observe a full-day holiday, the commodity markets will follow a different schedule. The Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) will not be entirely shut; it is scheduled to remain closed during the morning session on June 26 but will resume regular trading operations for the evening session.

In contrast, the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) will observe a complete shutdown for both its morning and evening trading sessions. Investors active in the commodity derivatives segment should plan their liquidity and margin requirements accordingly to account for these varying exchange schedules.

Analyzing the 2026 Holiday Calendar

The June 26 closure is part of a broader schedule of 16 planned stock market holidays for the year 2026. As of late June, nine of these holidays have already passed. The upcoming calendar shows a significant gap between now and the next major market closure, which is scheduled for Monday, September 14, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

For the second half of 2026, the exchanges have slated several key dates for closures:

  • October 2: Gandhi Jayanti
  • October 20: Dussehra
  • November 10: Diwali Balipratipada
  • November 24: Guru Nanak Jayanti
  • December 25: Christmas (the final holiday of the year)

Weekend Holidays and the Muhurat Trading Session

Not all scheduled holidays result in a disruption of the trading week, as several key dates in 2026 fall on weekends. For instance, Independence Day falls on a Saturday (August 15), meaning it does not trigger an additional mid-week market closure.

A notable exception to the standard holiday rule is Diwali Laxmi Pujan, which falls on Sunday, November 8, this year. Despite the weekend timing, the exchanges will still conduct the customary one-hour Muhurat Trading session. While the specific timings for this auspicious session are yet to be announced, it remains a vital tradition for Indian traders to mark the beginning of the new financial year.

Key Takeaways

  • Equity Markets Closed: Both the BSE and NSE will be fully closed on June 26 for Muharram, creating an extended weekend for traders.
  • Split Commodity Trading: MCX will follow a partial closure (closed in the morning, open in the evening), while NCDEX will remain closed for the entire day.
  • Upcoming Calendar: After the June break, the next full-day market holiday will be on September 14 for Ganesh Chaturthi.