Equity market participants can expect fewer trading sessions on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) in October 2026. The market will remain closed on two weekdays for designated holidays, while regular weekend closures will account for nine additional non-trading days.
October will bring two weekday holidays to the NSE trading calendar, according to the exchange's official schedule. The market will remain shut on Oct. 2 for Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, followed by another closure on Oct. 20 for Dussehra.
The Friday holiday on Oct. 2 will give traders and investors a three-day break from market activity, including the weekend. Observed every year on Oct. 2, Gandhi Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the central figures of India's freedom struggle.
Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival associated with the triumph of good over evil and is observed on Oct. 20 in 2026.
NSE Holidays October 2026: Full List
| Date | Day | Holiday/Reason |
| October 2 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti |
| October 3 | Saturday | Weekend |
| October 4 | Sunday | Weekend |
| October 10 | Saturday | Weekend |
| October 11 | Sunday | Weekend |
| October 17 | Saturday | Weekend |
| October 18 | Sunday | Weekend |
| October 20 | Tuesday | Dussehra |
| October 24 | Saturday | Weekend |
| October 25 | Sunday | Weekend |
| October 31 | Saturday | Weekend |
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Stock Market Holidays In 2026
The NSE's 2026 equity holiday calendar lists 16 weekday holidays. Five of these fall between October and December, while November 8 is separately listed as a Sunday trading holiday for Diwali Laxmi Pujan.
Oct. 2: Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (Friday)
Oct. 20: Dussehra (Tuesday)
Nov. 10: Diwali-Balipratipada (Tuesday)
Nov. 24: Prakash Gurpurb Sri Guru Nanak Dev (Tuesday)
Dec. 25: Christmas (Friday)
The NSE will observe a trading holiday on Nov. 8 for Diwali Laxmi Pujan, with a special Muhurat Trading session to be conducted that day. The exchange has said the timings will be notified separately.
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Regular Stock Market Operations
Trading on the equities segment takes place on all days of the week except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays declared by the Exchange in advance. The market timings are as follows:
A) Pre-open session
Order entry period: 9:00 a.m. to 9:10 a.m.
Order matching and trade confirmation: 9:10 a.m. to 9:12 a.m.
Buffer period: 9:12 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
B) Regular trading session
Normal/Limited Physical Market: 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
C) Closing Auction Session
Order entry: 3:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Order matching and trade confirmation: 3:30 p.m. to 3:35 p.m.
Transition period: 3:35 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
D) Closing Session
3:50 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
E) Block Deal Session
Morning window: 8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Afternoon window: 2:05 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
At the same time, the Exchange may close the market on days other than the above-scheduled holidays or may open the market on days originally declared as holidays. The Exchange may also extend, advance, or reduce trading hours when it deems fit and necessary.
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