Stock Markets to Shut for Maharashtra Civic Elections
The Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange will remain closed for trading this Thursday. Both exchanges announced a full trading holiday on January 15 due to municipal corporation elections across Maharashtra.
Complete Trading Suspension Announced
BSE confirmed that trading activities will be suspended entirely on the election day. The closure affects all segments including equities, equity derivatives, commodity derivatives, and electronic gold receipts. What was initially marked as a settlement holiday has now been upgraded to a complete trading holiday.
The exchange made important adjustments to derivative contracts. Equity derivatives contracts originally scheduled to expire on January 15 will now mature on January 14 instead. These changes have been properly reflected in the end-of-day contract master files available to market participants.
2026 Holiday Calendar Released
Both exchanges have proactively released their holiday schedules for 2026. The comprehensive list includes:
- January 15: Municipal Corporation Election, Maharashtra
- January 26: Republic Day
- March 3: Holi
- March 26: Shri Ram Navami
- March 31: Shri Mahavir Jayanti
- April 3: Good Friday
- April 14: Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti
- May 1: Maharashtra Day
- May 28: Bakri Id
- June 26: Muharram
- September 14: Ganesh Chaturthi
- October 2: Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
- October 20: Dussehra
- November 10: Diwali-Balipratipada
- November 24: Prakash Gurpurb Sri Guru Nanak Dev
- December 25: Christmas
Enhanced Security in Mumbai
Meanwhile in Mumbai, authorities have significantly strengthened security arrangements ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Police forces have deployed barricades at multiple strategic locations throughout the city. They are conducting thorough vehicle checks to ensure peaceful voting processes.
Officials confirmed that comprehensive arrangements are firmly in place to maintain law and order during the civic polls. Voting across Mumbai's 227 wards will commence at 7:30 am and continue until 5:30 pm. The counting of votes has been scheduled for January 16, the day following the election.
Market participants should note these schedule changes and plan their trading activities accordingly. The temporary closure reflects standard practice during major election events to ensure smooth democratic processes while maintaining market integrity.
