Stock Market Holidays 2025: Makar Sankranti Open

India is a country that thrives on its vibrant cultural traditions and festivals, with Makar Sankranti being one of the most celebrated occasions across the nation. It signifies the harvest season and is observed by various names in different regions, such as Lohri, Pongal, and Uttarayan. As Makar Sankranti approaches, many wonder whether the stock markets will remain open or closed for this occasion, and how stock market holidays are determined.

In this blog post, we will explore the nuances of stock market holidays in India, with a particular focus on the 2025 holiday calendar. We will also dive into why Makar Sankranti will not affect the trading schedule this year, and provide a detailed look at how such decisions are made.

Stock Market Holidays in India: How Are They Decided?

The functioning of the Indian stock exchanges, including the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), is governed by an official holiday calendar. The holidays are not decided based on all public holidays or regional festivals but follow a specific schedule that accommodates important national and religious events, ensuring that market operations are synchronized with the broader economic and regulatory environment.

Each year, the BSE and NSE release an official list of trading holidays, marking the days when trading will be suspended. However, not every festival or public holiday is listed as a market holiday. For example, many regional festivals such as Pongal, Ugadi, and Onam, while widely celebrated across India, do not typically qualify as official stock market holidays. This means that even if a particular festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in certain states, the stock exchanges may remain open.

2025 Stock Market Holidays

For the year 2025, the BSE and NSE have declared a list of 14 official trading holidays. These holidays are based on national significance and the observance of key cultural, religious, and state-specific events. Let’s take a closer look at the stock market holidays for 2025:

1. February 26 – Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri, one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva, will be observed on February 26, 2025. On this day, the stock exchanges will be closed for trading.

2. March 14 – Holi
Holi, the festival of colors, will fall on March 14, 2025. It is celebrated widely across India to mark the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. The stock markets will be closed on this day.

3. March 31 – Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramzan Id)
The Muslim festival of Id-Ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, will fall on March 31, 2025. The stock markets will remain closed to observe this significant religious occasion.

4. April 10 – Shri Mahavir Jayanti
Shri Mahavir Jayanti, celebrating the birth of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, will be observed on April 10, 2025. The stock exchanges will be closed on this day.

5. April 14 – Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti
April 14, 2025, will mark the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent figure in the history of India’s independence and social reform. This is a public holiday in many parts of India, and the stock markets will be closed for the day.

6. April 18 – Good Friday
Good Friday, the Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, will be observed on April 18, 2025. The stock markets will be closed on this day.

7. May 1 – Maharashtra Day
Maharashtra Day, celebrated on May 1, marks the formation of the state of Maharashtra. It will be observed as a holiday in the state, and the markets will be closed.

8. August 15 – Independence Day
India’s Independence Day, a national holiday observed across the country, will be celebrated on August 15, 2025. The stock exchanges will remain closed for this occasion.

9. August 27 – Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, will be celebrated on August 27, 2025. This is a major festival in many parts of India, and the markets will be closed for the day.

10. October 2 – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, commemorating the birth of India’s Father of the Nation, will be observed on October 2, 2025. The markets will remain closed on this national holiday.

11. October 21 – Diwali (Laxmi Pujan)
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most significant festivals in India. The Laxmi Pujan, a part of Diwali celebrations, will occur on October 21, 2025. The stock exchanges will be closed for this occasion.

12. October 22 – Diwali (Balipratipada)
The second day of Diwali, known as Balipratipada, will also see the stock exchanges closed for trading on October 22, 2025.

13. November 5 – Prakash Gurpurb (Guru Nanak Jayanti)
Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, will be observed on November 5, 2025. The stock markets will be closed on this day.

14. December 25 – Christmas
Christmas, the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, will fall on December 25, 2025. The stock exchanges will remain closed for trading.

Weekend Market Closures in 2025

Apart from the 14 official holidays, the stock markets will also be closed on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) as per their regular schedule. Notably, in 2025, certain public holidays fall on weekends, leading to additional market closures:

• Republic Day (January 26) and Ram Navami (April 6) will fall on Sundays.
• Bakri Eid (June 7) and Muharram (July 6) will fall on Saturdays.

These weekend closures will not affect the regular trading pattern for the rest of the year.

Makar Sankranti: Why Will the Stock Market Remain Open?

Makar Sankranti is one of India’s most popular harvest festivals, celebrated with great fervor in different parts of the country. It signifies the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. The festival is celebrated in various forms:

• In Punjab, it is celebrated as Lohri, marked by bonfires and folk dances.
• In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, it is celebrated with kite flying and feasting.
• In Tamil Nadu, the festival is known as Pongal, a thanksgiving celebration to the Sun God for the bountiful harvest.

However, despite the widespread significance of Makar Sankranti, it is not an official holiday for the stock exchanges. The BSE and NSE follow a set holiday calendar, which does not include Makar Sankranti as a stock market holiday for 2025. This means that the Indian stock markets will be open for trading on January 14, 2025, and will operate during regular market hours from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM.

Conclusion

As we celebrate the joyous occasion of Makar Sankranti, it’s important to remember that the stock markets in India will remain open for trading on January 14, 2025. While many festivals and public holidays hold significance across different regions, the BSE and NSE adhere to their own schedule, ensuring that trading continues unless a specific holiday is announced in the official calendar.

For traders and investors, it’s crucial to stay informed about the holiday calendar to avoid any disruptions in their investment strategies. As Makar Sankranti is not listed among the stock market holidays for 2025, trading will proceed as usual, allowing the markets to function without any interruption.

We hope this detailed blog post has clarified the stock market holiday schedule and the celebration of Makar Sankranti! Wishing you a joyful and prosperous festival season ahead.