You've probably woken up, grabbed your coffee, and reached for your phone to check the Nifty 50 or Sensex pre-market numbers. It’s a ritual. But then you realize it’s Saturday, January 17, 2026. Usually, that’s where the story ends—markets are closed on weekends, right? Well, mostly.
Honestly, the 2026 trading calendar has been a bit of a rollercoaster already. Just a couple of days ago, on January 15, the markets took a breather for the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation elections. It’s one of those regional quirks that reminds you that while the stock market feels global, its heart beats in Mumbai.
Is the Indian stock market open today?
The short answer: No, the Indian stock market is not open today, Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) remain closed for their standard weekend break. This applies to the Equity, Equity Derivative, and SLR segments. If you were hoping to place a trade in the morning session, you'll have to wait until Monday morning.
However, there is a tiny exception for the commodity folks. While the morning session is closed, sometimes the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) has different rules for evening sessions on specific holidays. But for a regular Saturday like today? Everything is tightly shut.
Why today feels different
There's a bit of confusion in the air because today is a "Settlement Holiday" in some parts of the country. In Tamil Nadu, for instance, banks are closed for Uzhavar Thirunal (the Farmers' Festival).
Since it's the third Saturday of the month, banks in most other states like Maharashtra and Delhi are actually open. Usually, we're used to banks being closed on the second and fourth Saturdays. This "third Saturday" status means you can actually walk into a branch today in Mumbai, even though you can't trade on the exchange.
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The massive Sunday exception coming up in February
If you’re annoyed that the market is closed today, hold onto your seat for February. We are about to see something that hasn't happened in over two decades.
The NSE and BSE have officially confirmed they will be open for a full trading session on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Why the Sunday shift? It's all about the Union Budget 2026. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive budget at 11:00 AM that day. Typically, the government tries to avoid weekend budget announcements, but 2026 is pushing the envelope.
The exchanges don't want a "volatility bomb" to go off on Monday morning. By opening on Sunday, they allow investors to price in the budget announcements in real-time.
Budget Day Schedule (Sunday, Feb 1)
- Pre-open Session: 9:00 AM – 9:08 AM
- Normal Trading: 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM
- Closing Session: 3:40 PM – 4:00 PM
Basically, it'll be a regular Monday-Friday schedule, just on a Sunday. It’s going to be a long weekend for brokers, but a fascinating day for anyone with skin in the game.
Understanding the "Settlement Holiday" Trap
New traders often get tripped up by the difference between a Trading Holiday and a Settlement Holiday.
Today, January 17, is a bit of a hybrid. Because it's a Saturday, it's a trading holiday. But on some weekdays, the market might be open for trading while the banks (and clearing houses) are closed.
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When that happens:
- You can buy and sell stocks.
- Your "Buy" orders won't show up in your Demat account until the next working day.
- Your "Sell" proceeds (the cash) won't be available for withdrawal immediately.
If you’re using platforms like Zerodha or Groww, you’ll notice your "available margin" might look a bit weird on these days. It’s not a glitch; it’s just the clearing house taking a nap while the traders keep shouting.
[Image showing the difference between trading and settlement cycles]
Upcoming 2026 Market Holidays to Circle
Since you can't trade today, you might as well plan your next long weekend. The 2026 calendar is littered with mid-week breaks that can catch you off guard if you're planning an options strategy.
- January 26 (Monday): Republic Day. The market is fully closed. This creates a long weekend, so watch out for "theta decay" if you're holding options.
- March 3 (Tuesday): Holi. No colors on the trading floor that day.
- March 26 (Thursday): Shri Ram Navami.
- April 3 (Friday): Good Friday. Another long weekend opportunity.
One thing to keep an eye on is the Muhurat Trading session later this year. It's scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, for Diwali. It’s usually just a one-hour symbolic session, but the energy is always electric.
What should you do today instead?
Since the screens are red and green-less today, it's actually the best time to do the "boring" stuff that actually makes you money.
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First, check your contract notes. If you traded heavily during the volatility of the January 15 election holiday or the day after, make sure the trades executed at the prices you expected. Sometimes slippage during low-volume holiday periods can be a silent profit killer.
Second, rebalance. If the start of 2026 has been kind to your portfolio, you might be overweight in mid-caps. Saturday is the perfect time to look at your allocations without the emotional pressure of a flickering ticker.
Lastly, keep an eye on the Economic Survey. It usually drops right before the Budget. With the market opening on Sunday, Feb 1, that Friday (Jan 30) is going to be the "setup" day for the big move.
Start by reviewing your current holdings against the likely "Budget picks" in infrastructure and green energy. Since the markets are closed today, you have the rare luxury of time to read the deep-dive research reports you've been bookmarking all week.
Get your watchlists ready for Monday morning—the pre-market session kicks off at 9:00 AM sharp.