Indian Share/Stock Market Holiday Calendar for 2021

If you are a trader, especially a beginner, or someone planning to start an online trading account, you would need to keep an eye on that trading calendar. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) or the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) are two key exchanges you need to keep a watch on. Then there’s the commodities exchange, leading among them is the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX). These exchanges have a set of holidays that you would need to refer to, so that you can plan your trading on the basis of that.

All the stock exchanges function five days a week, i.e, from Monday to Friday, so if you are a trader with a brand new trading account, it helps to keep this in mind when you plan your strategies.

Muhurat Trading

You would also need to keep in mind the all-important Muhurat trading, which is a special occasion; ie. the day of Diwali, when trading is held for an hour, as it is symbolic of wealth and prosperity. For 2021, this special Muhurat trading will take place on November 04.

Trading Holidays to remember

As someone who has just opened a free trading account, you would need to remember that the stock exchanges are closed on national holidays such as Republic Day and Independence Day, apart from specific festive occasions. Also, there is a variation in the BSE share market list of holidays for different segments, for example, the commodity derivatives segment is different from the equity, SLB and equity derivatives segments.

In the BSE share market list for commodity derivatives, you may find that some evening sessions are open for trading on even certain holidays. This could be the day of Mahashivarathri (March 11, 2021), Ram Navami (April 21, 2021), Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14, 2021), Id-ul-Fitar (May 13, 2021), Balipratipada Diwali (November 05, 2021) and Guru Nanak Jayanti (November 19, 2021).

BSE Share Market Holidays List For Commodity Derivatives Segment

(Source: bseindia.com)

The BSE share market holidays for equity, SLB and equity derivatives segments include occasions like Mahashivarathri, Holi, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayantu, Good Friday, Ambedkar Jayanti, Maharashtra Day, Id-Ul-Fitr, Gandhi Jayanti, Diwali Balipratipada, Gurunanak Jayanti and Christmas.

BSE Share Market Holidays List For Equity Segment, SLB Segment and Equity Derivatives

(Source: bseindia.com)

NSE Holiday List

Similarly, NSE has a list of share market trading holidays and another list of market clearing holidays. Clearing days are those when trading is held but not the settlement of buy/sell orders. Clearing holidays are days when banks have a holiday as well.

NSE Share Market Trading Holidays 2021

(Source: nseindia.com)

NSE Share Market Clearing Holidays 2021

(Source: nseindia.com)

Similarly, the MCX also has a list of holidays for commodity trading. There are certain days when the morning sessions are closed but the evening sessions are open for trading on the MCX. For instance, although October 15 is closed for morning session on the occasion of Dussehra, it is open for the evening session. The same is true of May 13, when the morning session is closed for Id, while the evening session is open. You would need to keep track of these variations when you have just started to trade. This list below may come in handy for a beginner who seeks to trade on the MCX:

Commodity Market Holiday List(MCX/NCDEX)

(Source: commoditytrademantra.com)

There may be times when these holiday lists could change, depending on events and their impact. Next, the question is what to do on market holidays if you are a trader? The answer is to keep doing the research and watch how certain stocks are behaving, and make plans for what you could likely trade in. If you have an online trading account, chances are you have access to research reports, blogs and advisories as well. Get a picture of your performance, and see how you can improve. Exchange holidays are a good opportunity to relearn and review certain basics of trading, before the bell rings the next morning, and you are all set. It may also be time to print that list of holidays and keep it handy for use. Or set up an online calendar to make things easier when you begin the next morning.

Now that you know all about trading holidays on the different exchanges, it is time you put your free trading account to good use, and learn to trade. Still don’t have a trading account? How about opening an online trading account? It is a simple process, and all you have to do is input your basic details, such as mobile number and name, and keep documents handy. These usually include your PAN card, a cancelled cheque and a GST registration proof wherever applicable. You can apply online and get yourself a free trading account to get going.

Conclusion

Much like every other institution or body, the exchanges such as NSE, BSE or MCX all have their own holiday calendar. Before you begin using your trading account, you should keep a close watch on the list of holidays as it helps you plan your trading strategies.