January 14-16 Holidays: Are Indian Stock Markets Open on Makar Sankranti?

Several major festivals and regional events are scheduled between January 14 and January 16, including Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, Uttarayana Punyakala, Kanuma, Thiruvalluvar Day, and the Maharashtra BMC elections. With banks, schools, and government offices likely to observe local holidays, investors are questioning whether Indian stock markets will follow suit.

Here is a clear picture of how trading will function during this busy week.

Stock Market Holidays vs Public Holidays

In India, stock market holidays do not always align with bank or government holidays. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) follow a separate holiday calendar, closing only on select national and religious occasions.

Typically, markets remain shut on national holidays such as Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. Apart from these, exchanges also observe limited festival holidays, including Holi, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, Ambedkar Jayanti, Maharashtra Day, Bakri Id, Muharram, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti, and Christmas.

Will Markets Be Open This Week?

According to the official holiday schedule of BSE and NSE, equity trading will continue as usual on January 14, January 15, and January 16, despite the cluster of festivals across the country.

Even the Maharashtra Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections will not disrupt trading activity. Although both major exchanges are headquartered in Mumbai, state-level events do not necessarily translate into market closures.

However, January 15, 2026, will be observed as a settlement holiday. While trading across all market segments will remain open, settlements for transactions executed on January 14 will be processed on January 16 instead.

Festival Dates This Week

Makar Sankranti 2026: January 14
Also known as Uttarayana, this harvest festival marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn and is celebrated across India and Nepal.

Pongal 2026: January 14 to January 17
A major harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, Pongal honours farmers, cattle, nature, and the Sun God. Markets will remain closed on January 17 due to it being a Saturday.

Magh Bihu 2026: January 14
Celebrated in Assam and parts of the Northeast, Magh Bihu marks the end of the harvest season with community feasts, bonfires, and traditional games.

Weekly Market Outlook

Market participants will be closely monitoring the beginning of the quarterly earnings season, alongside a packed macroeconomic calendar. Key domestic data releases such as CPI inflation, WPI inflation, trade deficit figures, and foreign exchange reserves are expected to influence sentiment.

Corporate earnings from sectors including IT, banking, financial services, and energy will also remain in focus.

On the global front, investors will watch developments related to a US Supreme Court ruling on trade tariffs introduced during the Trump administration, which could impact global risk appetite. Ongoing geopolitical tensions may further add to volatility.

Investment Strategy for the Week Ahead

Market experts advise caution amid heightened volatility and uncertain global cues. While sharp corrections may create short-term buying opportunities, sustained upward momentum could remain limited until clearer signals emerge from earnings and global trade trends.

Investors are encouraged to prioritise capital protection, stick to fundamentally strong large-cap stocks, and avoid aggressive exposure to high-risk or highly leveraged counters. Traders, meanwhile, may consider short-term opportunities but should maintain strict stop-loss discipline.

Focusing on domestically driven sectors with robust balance sheets could offer relative stability, while stocks linked to exports and commodities may continue to face pressure from global uncertainties

Also read: Gold and Silver Prices in India Today, January 13, 2026: Check Rates in Major Cities