As April unfolds, a blend of festive celebrations and market dynamics creates a unique atmosphere for investors. With Good Friday arriving on April 18, many are curious about whether the Indian stock markets will remain active or take a break. Here’s a concise overview of what to expect for trading on this holiday.
Stock Markets Closed for Good Friday
In a straightforward announcement, both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will observe a closure on April 18 in honor of Good Friday. This aligns with the official trading holiday schedule released by the exchanges.
A Comprehensive Trading Halt
It’s important to note that the suspension of trading extends beyond just equities. The following segments will also experience a pause:
- Equity Segment
- Equity Derivatives Segment
- Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) Segment
- Currency Derivatives Segment
- Commodity Derivatives Segment
- Electronic Gold Receipts (EGR)
- NDS-RST and Tri-party Repo
In essence, there will be no trading or settlement activities on April 18. This means that whether you’re a retail investor or involved in day trading and commodities, it will be a day off across all sectors.
A Short Week for Market Participants
This week has turned out to be particularly brief for traders, with the exchanges also closed on April 14 in celebration of Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti. Consequently, traders will have only three active trading days from April 15 to 17.
Looking back, last week’s market closure on April 10 for Mahavir Jayanti makes April 2025 a month filled with holidays for the Indian markets.
April 2025: A Holiday-Heavy Month
According to the official list available on the BSE website, there have been multiple holidays this month:
- April 10 (Thursday) – Mahavir Jayanti
- April 14 (Monday) – Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti
- April 18 (Friday) – Good Friday
Upcoming Market Holidays to Note
After the Good Friday holiday, the next scheduled market break will be on May 1, 2025 (Wednesday) for Maharashtra Day. Following this, traders can expect a continuous series of working days, as there are no holidays in June and July.
Here’s a quick glance at the upcoming holidays:
- May 1 (Wednesday) – Maharashtra Day
- August 15 (Friday) – Independence Day
- August 27 (Wednesday) – Ganesh Chaturthi
- October 2 (Thursday) – Gandhi Jayanti / Dussehra
- October 21 (Tuesday) – Diwali Laxmi Pujan (Note: Muhurat Trading will occur; timings to be announced)
- October 22 (Wednesday) – Diwali Balipratipada
- November 5 (Wednesday) – Prakash Gurpurb
- December 25 (Thursday) – Christmas
Commodity Markets Also Observing Holiday
The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will join in the observance of Good Friday and will remain closed throughout both morning and evening trading sessions. Thus, participants in the commodities sector will also enjoy an extended weekend break.
Stay Informed on Market Holidays
To keep up with the latest on stock market holidays, you can visit the official BSE website. The homepage features a “Trading Holidays” section where you can easily access and download the complete holiday list for 2025.
Investors should use this downtime wisely, perhaps reviewing their portfolios or strategizing for upcoming trading sessions.
