October is a critical month for the Indian financial markets, bringing a confluence of major national holidays and the highly auspicious festival of Diwali. For traders and investors, being aware of the non-trading days is essential for effective planning and risk management, especially as the month features truncated trading weeks. The official calendars from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) clearly outline these pauses, allowing market participants to adjust their strategies accordingly.
Table of Contents
- Stock Market Holiday Dates in October 2025
- The Significance of Muhurat Trading 2025
- Commodity and Currency Market Holiday Schedule
- Key Takeaways for Traders and Investors
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
October 2025 will observe three specific trading holidays on the NSE and BSE, in addition to the standard weekend closures on Saturdays and Sundays. These holidays apply to the Equity, Equity Derivatives, and Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) segments.
| Date |
Holiday |
| October 2, 2025 |
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti / Dussehra |
| October 21, 2025 |
Diwali - Laxmi Pujan* |
| October 22, 2025 |
Diwali - Balipratipada |
*Muhurat Trading will be conducted on this day.
These three holidays mean that traders will need to manage their positions and liquidity carefully, particularly around the core Diwali period.
Despite the market closure for Diwali on October 21, the stock exchanges uphold a long-standing tradition by hosting a special one-hour Muhurat Trading session. This symbolic trading window is considered highly auspicious for starting new long-term investments for the coming Samvat (the Hindu calendar new year).
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Auspicious Timing: The exchanges will announce the specific one-hour Muhurat trading window, which typically takes place in the evening. For 2025, the scheduled window is from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM on October 21, a shift from the usual evening slot.
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Symbolic Value: The session marks the beginning of Samvat 2082. Many investors make a token purchase as a ritual for prosperity in the year ahead.
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Settlement Obligations: It is important to remember that all trades executed during this session are subject to normal settlement obligations (T+1), just like any other trading day.
Use the Finology Stock Screener to review a company’s performance and plan your trades around these holidays efficiently.
While the equity markets have a uniform schedule, the commodity and currency markets can sometimes have different timings, especially for evening sessions.
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A key point for commodity traders is that on October 22 (Balipratipada), the commodity derivatives market (MCX and NCDEX) will be open for the evening session (typically from 5:00 PM), even though the equity market is closed for the entire day.
Refer to the complete Stock Market Holidays 2025 schedule to avoid surprises and align your trading strategy.
The stock market holiday schedule in October requires careful planning.
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Manage Liquidity: With truncated trading weeks, managing margin calls and liquidity is crucial.
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Be Aware of Gaps: The market may open with a gap up or down after a holiday, influenced by global cues.
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Utilise Downtime: The non-trading days are an excellent opportunity to research Q2 corporate earnings and refine investment strategies.
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Participate in Muhurat Trading: The auspicious Muhurat session is a great time to make symbolic, long-term investments.
Watch expert advice on what to consider during Muhurat Trading to make informed investment decisions this festive season.
1. Is the stock market closed for the whole day on Diwali in October 2025?
The stock market is closed for regular trading on the main day of Diwali (Laxmi Pujan, October 21, 2025). However, a special one-hour Muhurat Trading session will be held on this day, from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM.
2. What are the three non-weekend stock market holidays in October 2025?
The three trading holidays are October 2 (Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti/Dussehra), October 21 (Diwali - Laxmi Pujan), and October 22 (Diwali - Balipratipada).
3. Are the commodity and currency markets also closed on these holidays?
The Currency Derivatives market is closed on all three holidays. The Commodity Derivatives market (MCX/NCDEX) is closed on October 2 and October 21, but it will be open for the evening session on October 22.
4. What is the significance of Muhurat Trading?
Muhurat Trading is a symbolic one-hour session on Diwali that marks the beginning of the new Hindu financial year (Samvat). It is considered an auspicious time to make new investments for prosperity.
5. How should investors prepare for the holiday-shortened weeks?
Investors should manage their cash and margin requirements, stay updated on global market news during the holidays, and use the downtime for research, especially on upcoming Q2 corporate results.