Stock Market Holiday: Why NSE and BSE Are Closed on January 15, 2026

14, January 2026. By -Kaushik

​If you were planning to trade on Dalal Street this Thursday, you’ll need to hit the pause button. The Indian stock market, including the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), will remain closed for trading on January 15, 2026.
​While many investors initially expected the markets to remain open following the Makar Sankranti celebrations on January 14, a recent circular has confirmed a full trading holiday.

The Primary Reason: Maharashtra Civic Elections 2026
​The fundamental reason for the market closure is the Municipal Corporation Elections in Maharashtra, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
​Since both major stock exchanges are headquartered in Mumbai, the Maharashtra government’s declaration of a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act has led to the suspension of trading. The holiday is intended to ensure that employees and citizens can participate in the democratic process without the pressure of a live trading day.

Key Impact on Traders and Investors
​This mid-week break has significant implications for your trading strategy:
​F&O Expiry Preponed: The weekly Futures & Options (F&O) expiry for Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty, which usually happens on Thursdays, has been preponed to Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Traders must settle their positions a day earlier to avoid auto-square-offs.
​Segment Closures: Trading will be suspended in the Equity, Equity Derivatives, and SLR (Securities Lending and Borrowing) segments for the entire day.
​Commodity Market (MCX) Timing: The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) typically follows a split schedule on such holidays. It will be closed for the morning session (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) but will open for the evening session (5:00 PM onwards).
​Settlement Holiday: January 15 is also a settlement holiday, meaning any shares bought on January 14 will reflect in your Demat account a day later than usual.
​Is it a Bank Holiday?
​Yes, banks in Maharashtra will remain closed for the elections. Additionally, several other states (like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana) may observe bank holidays due to Pongal and Kanuma festivals falling around the same window.

Disclaimer :

This blog does not provide financial, investment, or trading advice. All content is for educational and informational purposes only. Please consult a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. The author will not be responsible for any financial losses incurred.