The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has released its official trading holiday calendar for 2026. The schedule lists 15 market closures and multiple long weekends that might impact trading strategies.
January 26 - Republic Day
March 3 - Holi
March 26 - Shri Ram Navami
March 31 - Shri Mahavir Jayanti
April 3 - Good Friday
April 14 - Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti
May 1 - Maharashtra Day
May 28 - Bakri Id
June 26 - Muharram
September 14 - Ganesh Chaturthi
October 2 - Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
October 20 - Dussehra
November 10 - Diwali / Balipratipada
November 26 - Prakash Gurpurb Sri Guru Nanak Dev
December 25 - Christmas
According to the 2026 holiday calendar published by the NSE for both NSE and BSE, there are seven long weekends, where a market holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, creating three-day breaks.
| Date | Day | Occassion |
|---|---|---|
| January 26 | Monday | Republic Day |
| March 26 | Thursday | Shri Ram Navami |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| May 1 | Friday | Maharashtra Day |
| May 28 | Thursday | Bakri Id |
| June 26 | Friday | Muharram |
| September 14 | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi |
| October 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas |
Global brokerage firm Morgan Stanley has set the Sensex bull case target at 107,000 by December 2026. In its latest strategy outlook report, the global investment bank highlights multiple pathways for the market, but its most optimistic scenario sees the benchmark index surging by nearly 27% from current levels if macroeconomic and policy tailwinds remain favourable.
Morgan Stanley’s analyst, Ridham Desai, claimed: "Following their worst underperformance in three decades, we see Indian equities regaining their mojo in 2026. Policy has pivoted, supporting a strong recovery in nominal growth, which should take earnings growth out of the mid cycle slowdown experienced over the past 12 months. Relative valuations are consistent with improved forward performance. FPI exposure remains the lightest in history."
He added that “Indian equities appear set to reverse their worst performance relative to emerging markets in 31 calendar years.”
"Significant initiatives by the government to revive consumption (tax cuts (personal and GST), interest rate cuts, trading restrictions, etc.) and a likely more favourable regulatory regime should help India deliver a double-digit return in 2026," mentioned Yogesh Aggarwal in an HSBC Securities and Capital Markets report.
Also Read: Is a Stock Market Crash Coming in 2026? Historical Insights
The Indian stock market underperformed most markets in 2025. The long weekends in 2026 may influence trading volumes, settlement timelines, and short-term market liquidity. These extended breaks make planning crucial to avoid disruptions and capitalize on pre- and post-holiday market movements for active traders and investors alike.
Understanding the detailed market schedule is important for investors and traders to optimise their strategies.
Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp
_____________
Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance on cryptocurrencies and stocks. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more about the financial risks involved here.