October 2026 Trading Holidays: Key Dates for BSE and NSE Investors

Investors in the stock market should be aware of the trading calendar for October 2026, which includes significant holidays affecting BSE and NSE operations. With a total of 11 non-trading days, including weekends and two official holidays, it's crucial to plan transactions accordingly. Key dates include October 2 for Gandhi Jayanti and October 20 for Dussehra. Understanding these closures will help investors navigate their trading strategies effectively. Read on for detailed insights into the trading schedule and its implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 26, 2026, 14:27 IST

Understanding October 2026 Trading Calendar

For those investing in the stock market, it is crucial to be aware of the trading calendar for October 2026. During this month, BSE and NSE will not have regular trading for a total of 11 days, which includes weekends. According to the official calendar from the exchanges, there are two weekdays when the market will be closed due to holidays: October 2 and October 20. The remaining nine days are due to Saturdays and Sundays.

Gandhi Jayanti Holiday on October 2

The first market holiday in October falls on October 2, 2026, Friday, in observance of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, as per the NSE's trading holiday calendar for 2026.

Following this, regular trading will also be suspended over the weekend. The weekends in October 2026 are as follows:

October 3 — Saturday

October 4 — Sunday

October 10 — Saturday

October 11 — Sunday

October 17 — Saturday

October 18 — Sunday

October 24 — Saturday

October 25 — Sunday

October 31 — Saturday

Thus, due to the weekends, the market will be closed for 9 days in October.

Market Closure on Dussehra, October 20

The second trading holiday in October is on October 20, 2026, Tuesday, designated as Dussehra according to the NSE's official calendar.

This means there will be two significant holidays during the weekdays in October:

Date	Day	Reason
October 2, 2026	Friday	Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
October 20, 2026	Tuesday	Dussehra

Clarifying the 11 Trading Holidays

It is important to clarify that the figure of 11 days does not equate to 11 separate trading holidays. This total includes 9 weekends and 2 exchange holidays. The NSE's 2026 calendar lists the two exchange holidays mentioned above for October.

Therefore, investors should interpret the news stating '11 days the market is closed' as the total number of non-trading days, rather than 11 distinct holiday events.

Diwali Trading Schedule

Investors should also pay attention to the Diwali schedule. According to the NSE's 2026 calendar, Diwali-Lakshmi Poojan falls on November 8, 2026, Sunday, when a special trading session will be held, with timings to be announced separately. The following business day will follow the regular trading schedule as per the exchange's notice.

Additionally, there is a market holiday on November 10, 2026, due to Diwali-Balipratipada.

Regular Trading Hours

As per the NSE, the standard trading hours for the equity market are from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. Trading does not occur on exchange holidays or weekends.

Important Considerations for Investors

Due to the holidays in October, the number of trading days will be reduced. Investors should check the exchange calendar when planning any buying or selling of shares or other transactions. The holidays may also impact the settlements of trades conducted around these dates, as the NSE does not include exchange holidays and weekends in the settlement calculations.

Conclusion: In October 2026, BSE and NSE will not have regular trading for a total of 11 days, which includes 9 weekends and 2 exchange holidays—October 2 and October 20. It is essential for investors to understand that the figure of 11 represents the total non-trading days, not 11 separate trading holidays.