Stock Market Holidays 2026: Are NSE and BSE Closed on Wednesday for Eid-e-Milad?

Investors checking the Indian stock market calendar for Wednesday, August 26, 2026, may come across conflicting information about whether trading will be suspended for Eid-e-Milad. While the festival is observed as a holiday by several institutions, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will not be shut for regular equity trading on Wednesday.

Instead, August 26 will be observed as a settlement holiday for the stock market. This distinction is important for investors because trading and settlement are separate processes. The exchanges can continue to accept and execute trades even when settlement-related activities are suspended.

NSE and BSE trading status on August 26

The NSE's 2026 calendar lists August 26 as Id-E-Milad in its holiday schedule. However, the day is treated differently for trading and settlement purposes. The exchange's clearing calendar specifically identifies August 26 as an Id-E-Milad settlement holiday.

For equity market participants, this means normal trading will continue on Wednesday. Investors will therefore be able to buy and sell shares during the usual market session.

The key difference is that clearing and settlement functions will not operate in the normal manner on that day. Investors who are unfamiliar with settlement holidays should therefore avoid assuming that a settlement holiday means the stock exchange itself is completely closed.

What happens to trades and funds?

A settlement holiday can affect when transactions are reflected in an investor's account.

For example, profits generated through intraday trades on August 25 will not immediately be reflected in the account balance on August 26 because settlement activity is suspended for the holiday. Similarly, shares bought around the holiday period may take additional time to become available for subsequent transactions.

According to the holiday information, shares purchased on August 25 and August 26 can be sold on August 27. This makes the settlement calendar particularly relevant for traders planning short-term transactions around the festival.

Currency market to remain closed

There is another important distinction for traders. While the equity market will remain operational, the currency market will remain closed on August 26 on account of Eid-e-Milad. The NSE's currency derivatives holiday schedule also lists August 26 as a trading holiday.

Therefore, investors should check the specific trading segment they participate in rather than relying solely on the equity market's status.

Is MCX open on August 26?

Commodity traders will have a different schedule. The Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) will remain open on August 26, including both its morning and evening trading sessions, according to the reported market holiday details.

This means the Eid-e-Milad settlement holiday does not translate into a blanket closure across all Indian financial markets.

What is the next full stock market holiday?

After August 26, the next full trading holiday listed in the 2026 calendar is Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday, September 14. The NSE's published holiday schedule also lists subsequent holidays including Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, Dussehra on October 20 and Diwali-related holidays in November.

Diwali Laxmi Pujan falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The exchange has stated that Muhurat Trading will be conducted on that day, with the exact timings to be announced separately.

Full NSE trading holiday list for the remaining 2026 calendar

For investors planning their trades for the rest of the year, the major NSE holidays after August include:

• September 14 — Ganesh Chaturthi
• October 2 — Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
• October 20 — Dussehra
• November 8 — Diwali Laxmi Pujan and Muhurat Trading
• November 10 — Diwali-Balipratipada
• November 24 — Prakash Gurpurb Sri Guru Nanak Dev
• December 25 — Christmas

The NSE notes that holidays can be changed through a separate exchange circular if required, so investors should verify the latest official calendar before making plans around a market holiday.

Bottom line for investors

The biggest takeaway for Wednesday, August 26, is simple: NSE and BSE equity trading will remain open despite Eid-e-Milad. The day is instead significant because it is a settlement holiday, which can affect the movement and availability of shares and funds. The currency market will be closed, while MCX will continue trading.

Investors should therefore distinguish between a trading holiday and a settlement holiday when checking the 2026 market calendar. This can help avoid confusion over trade execution, settlement dates and when purchased shares become available for sale.