The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has officially confirmed regular trading operations on February 1, 2026, coinciding with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's presentation of the Union Budget for FY26-27. Both NSE and BSE issued circulars on January 16, 2026, notifying trading members of this exceptional Sunday session to enable immediate market response to fiscal policy announcements.

Standard Trading Hours Maintained

NSE will operate with normal market timings despite the weekend schedule, ensuring seamless market operations during this significant economic event. The exchange has specified that a random closure may occur in the final minute of the pre-open session.

Comprehensive Market Segments Active

NSE will operate its capital market, futures and options, and commodity derivatives segments during the Sunday session. BSE has similarly scheduled live trading across equity, equity derivatives, and commodity derivatives segments.

Pre-Budget Economic Survey Release

Ahead of the Budget presentation, the Ministry of Finance will release the Economic Survey, followed by a press briefing led by Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran and other senior officials. The Economic Survey serves as an annual review prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs, assessing the economy's state over the past year and providing analytical groundwork for the Budget.

Settlement and Special Trading Features

Both exchanges have clarified that T+0 settlement sessions will not be conducted on February 1 due to settlement holiday restrictions. BSE will conduct morning and afternoon block deal windows at 8:45 AM and 2:05 PM respectively, along with periodic call auction sessions throughout the day.

The Sunday trading session represents a strategic departure from the usual Monday-to-Friday schedule, reflecting the Union Budget's significance in shaping market dynamics and ensuring traders can respond immediately to the government's fiscal roadmap for economic growth and welfare priorities.

The domestic stock markets will observe a holiday on Monday, January 26, 2026, for Republic Day, according to official holiday calendars issued by the exchanges. Both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE will suspend all trading activities for the day.

Trading Suspension Details

All market segments will remain closed on Republic Day, including:

• Equities trading
• Equity derivatives
• Securities lending and borrowing (SLBs)
• Currency derivatives
• Interest rate derivatives

The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will also suspend operations for both morning and evening sessions on January 26.

Special Sunday Trading for Budget

Despite falling on a Sunday, stock markets will remain open on February 1, 2026, for the Union Budget presentation. The exchanges have confirmed that trading will follow normal market timings.

The NSE issued a circular stating: "On account of the presentation of the Union Budget, members are requested to note that the Exchange shall be conducting a live trading session on February 1, 2026, as per the standard market timings."

Recent Market Closures

Earlier this month, markets were closed on January 15 following a public holiday declared by the Maharashtra government under the Negotiable Instruments Act. This closure facilitated local body elections across 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Annual Holiday Schedule 2026

The stock markets will observe a total of 15 holidays throughout 2026. Key highlights of the holiday calendar include:

March will see the highest concentration of trading holidays with markets closed on March 3 (Holi), March 26 (Shri Ram Navami), and March 31 (Shri Mahavir Jayanti). Four of the total 15 holidays fall on Saturdays or Sundays when markets are typically closed, minimizing the impact on actual trading days.