Stock Market Holidays 2026: Is Trading On BSE, NSE Be Open On January 14, 15, 16 For Makar Sankranti, Pongal?

Stock Market Holidays 2026: A host of festivals and major events have lined-up this week such as Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu, Pongal, Uttarayana Punyakala,Maghe Sankranti, Kanuma, Thiruvalluvar Day, and Maharashtra BMC elections. Amidst this, banks, government offices and schools could be shut on a local basis. However, will the case be same for stock market? These major events are back-to-back from January 14 to January 16. Let's find out, if market will be open or closed due to these events this week.

Stock Market Holidays This Week:

First and foremost the stock market holiday is different from bank holidays, public holidays and school holidays in India. They follow a different pattern and trading is not closed on all festivals that is celebrated in the country. Some of the major holidays that stock exchanges BSE and NSE follow are national holidays like Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti.

While stock exchanges take into account few festival holidays such as Holi, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti, Maharashtra Day, Bakri Id, Muharram, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra. Diwali, Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti and Christmas.

That being said, as per BSE and NSE holidays list, trading will be open on January 14, January 15 and January 16 despite the above-mentioned festivals.

Market will remain open on even the key major event of Maharashtra BMC elections. Both BSE and NSE are headquartered in Mumbai and sometimes state-level events also fuel trading holidays. However, on January 15, 2026, only settlement holiday will be observed, while trading will be open in all market-related instruments.

Since settlement will be closed on January 15, transactions made on January 14 on BSE and NSE, will be settled by January 16.

Makar Sankranti 2026:

This year, Makar Sankranti falls on January 14, 2026.

Makara Sankrānti, also referred to as Uttarāyana, Makara, or simply Sankrānti, is a Hindu observance and a mid-winter harvest festival in India and Nepal. It is typically celebrated on the 14 January annually, this occasion marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius to Capricorn, as per Wikipedia.

Pongal 2026:

Pongal, which is a major Hindu harvest festival in Tamil, will be celebrated from January 14 to January 17, 2026. Market will be closed on January 17 due to Saturday.

During the celebration of Pongal, people showcase their gratification for nature, farmers, cattle, and the Sun God for prosperity and abundance. Its significance is to express the close relationship between humankind and nature.

Magh Bihu:

Maghu Bihu is yet another harvest festival, however, broadly celebrated in north-east India. The festival is celebrated with bonfires, feasts and traditional Assamese games such as ''tekeli bhonga'' (pot-breaking) and buffalo fighting.

This year, Magh Bihu will be celebrated on January 14, 2026.

Stock Market Weekly Outlook:

As per Ajit Mishra - SVP, Research, Religare Broking, key major events this week includes start of the earnings season alongside a busy macroeconomic calendar. Investors will closely track India's CPI inflation, WPI inflation, trade balance, and foreign exchange reserves data for cues on inflation trends and external stability. Quarterly results from major companies across IT, banking, financials, and energy sectors will also be in focus.

Globally, markets will keenly watch developments around the US Supreme Court verdict on the legality of Trump-era tariffs, which could act as a key sentiment driver. Ongoing geopolitical developments will also remain on investors' radar.

What Should Be Investors Strategy?

In Mishra's view, in the current environment of heightened volatility and global uncertainty, a cautious and disciplined approach is advisable. While bargain hunting could lead to intermittent rebounds after the sharp correction, sustained upside is likely to remain capped until greater clarity emerges on earnings, global trade developments, and FII flows. Investors should focus on capital preservation, maintain higher exposure to quality large-cap stocks, and avoid aggressive positions in high-beta or leveraged names.

That being said, the expert advises traders to look tactically to participate in short-term technical rebounds but should adhere to strict risk management and stop-loss discipline. Selectively positioning in domestically driven sectors with strong balance sheets may offer relative stability, while export- and commodity-linked stocks could remain vulnerable to further global shocks.

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