Hi! If you, like me, have work, life, and investments, you may have been wondering: "Is the stock market open on Saturday in India?" Let's get to the good stuff. I have cross-checked trading calendars, consulted official sources, and checked holiday calendars to give you this simple guide for 2025.
Warning: Weekend Trading is Uncommon
Indian stock exchanges do not function on Sundays and Saturdays. National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) function from Monday to Friday. But there is a twist. I will show you why this question is not as simple as it seems.
Why are there Saturday confusions?
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Historical Exceptions
In the 1990s, Indian stock markets used to open on Saturdays for a few hours. They were, however, modified to conform to international practice in 1998. Today, even if a Saturday falls on a weekday (during festival periods, for example), no trading is done.
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Equity Markets and Commodity Markets
Whereas the stock exchanges (NSE/BSE) are closed, some of the commodity exchanges (like MCX) do have the infrequent Saturday trading for particular contracts. These are, however, infrequent and are intimated months in advance.
2025 Saturday Stock Market Holiday Calendar
Here's the catch: Even when a Saturday is not a holiday, markets do not open. For instance, in 2025, these Saturdays fall on festival days, but trading will not take place:
| Date | Holiday | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| January 25, 2025 | No Trading (Regular) | Regular Weekend Closure |
| March 8, 2025 | Mahashivratri* | Festival on Saturday; Market Closed |
| October 4, 2025 | Dussehra* | Festival on Saturday; Market Closed |
Note: These festivals fall on Saturdays in 2025, but markets would have closed anyway.
"What if I need to trade on Saturday?"
I get it! Here's what you can do:
- Pre-Plan Trades: Place GTC (Good Till Cancelled) orders based on Friday's closing levels.
- Global Markets: Consider U.S. or European markets (via indices or ETFs) that are open on Saturdays. (Editor's note: Most major global stock exchanges like NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE are also closed on Saturdays. This might refer to specific derivative products or very niche markets, or it's a point to be cautious about. Crypto markets are an example of 24/7 trading.)
- OTC Platforms: Some brokerages offer limited over-the-counter trading, but liquidity is very low.
How the Top 10 Articles Get It Wrong
Most of the guides will say holidays only. But see below what they omit:
- Brokerage apps still work: You can view portfolios, locate stocks, or get ready on Saturdays.
- SIP Dates: If your SIP is on a Saturday, it will be processed on the next working day.
- Tax Deadlines: Saturday deadlines become Mondays—no penalties!
Interactive Section: Should India Begin Trading on Saturdays?
Let's debate! Globally, the NYSE and NASDAQ also get weekends off. But crypto markets (like Bitcoin) are open 24/7.
Cast your vote in the comments! (Original text: You can implement actual comment section functionality with a backend or third-party service.)
Pro Tip: Avoid These 3 Weekend Getaway Blunders
- Panic Selling Before Holidays: Markets often rebound post-break.
- Overlooking Global Clues: Weekend Fed releases in the United States can affect Monday opening.
- Delayed settlement deadlines: T+2 cycles do not cease during holidays. (Editor's note: Settlement cycles (T+1 in India for equities now) do get impacted by holidays as clearing corporations and banks are closed. If T+1 falls on a holiday, it moves to the next working day. The phrasing "do not cease" might be slightly misleading; they are rather 'paused' or 'deferred'.)
Last Words: Utilize Weekends Well!
While you can't swap, Saturdays are ideal for:
Weekly chart reading | Changing your investments | Gaining new methodologies, like the "Max Pain" hypothesis for Bank Nifty options.
Got questions? Ask them below! Let's create the best Saturday trading guide on the web.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seldom. The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) may open special sessions, such as for crude oil contracts, but these are exceptional cases well in advance, months prior.
Your SIP will be activated on the next working day, i.e., typically Monday. The NAV will be the next trading day's rate.
Yes! For instance, if the tax filing deadline is Saturday, March 15, 2025, you can pay penalty-free until Monday, March 17.
Yes. You could view your stocks, view charts, or place orders for the subsequent trading session through Zerodha, Groww, or Upstox apps.
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