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In 2026, with more Indians actively investing in equities, derivatives, and mutual funds, understanding stock market holidays has become more important than ever. Many investors still ask: Why does the stock market close on weekdays? and What actually happens to my investments on a market holiday?
A stock market holiday is a day when Indian stock exchanges like NSE and BSE are officially closed for trading across segments such as equities, derivatives, and currency markets.
These holidays are announced in advance under SEBI-regulated exchange calendars, ensuring transparency and smooth market functioning.
A stock market holiday is a non-trading day when:
In 2026, stock market holidays are fully aligned with banking holidays, clearing corporations, and depository operations such as NSDL and CDSL.
Indian markets close for practical, regulatory, and systemic reasons.
Markets remain closed on key national occasions such as:
These days coincide with bank closures, making settlement and fund transfers impossible.
India’s financial markets respect its cultural diversity. In 2026, markets close on major festivals including:
Since a large part of the financial ecosystem pauses, exchanges remain shut to avoid operational risks.
Stock markets depend on:
On holidays, these systems may not function. To protect investors and maintain market integrity, trading is suspended.
This structure follows global best practices across markets like the US, UK, and Asia.
This is one of the most searched investor questions in 2026.
Orders placed on holidays are queued and executed on the next trading day once markets open.
India follows a T+1 settlement cycle. If a holiday falls between the trade date and settlement:
Example:
If you buy shares on Friday and Monday is a holiday, settlement happens on Tuesday.
If a weekly or monthly options expiry falls on a holiday, exchanges usually advance the expiry to the previous trading day. Traders must track this closely to avoid losses.
Yes, under specific circumstances.
Every year, including 2026, Indian markets conduct Muhurat Trading, a symbolic one-hour session on Diwali.
Though volumes are lower, many investors participate as a sign of auspicious beginnings.
In rare regulatory or system-testing scenarios, NSE and BSE may announce special trading sessions outside the regular calendar.
Risk management becomes especially important during holiday-shortened weeks.
Smart investing in 2026 requires planning.
At Swastika Investmart, investors get access to SEBI-registered research, smart trading platforms, and timely market alerts that help navigate such market dynamics with confidence.
👉 Open your trading and investment account today
Though they may seem restrictive, market holidays actually:
Globally, structured holiday calendars are a sign of a mature and well-regulated market.
Q1. Are NSE and BSE holidays the same in 2026?
Yes, both exchanges follow the same holiday calendar for equities and derivatives.
Q2. Can I place orders on a market holiday?
Orders can be placed but are executed only on the next trading day.
Q3. Do mutual fund SIPs stop on market holidays?
No, SIPs continue. NAVs are processed based on the previous working day.
Q4. What if an options expiry falls on a holiday in 2026?
The expiry is usually shifted to the previous trading day.
Q5. Where can investors check official holiday lists?
On NSE and BSE websites or through your broker’s trading platform.
As Indian markets grow deeper and more tech-driven in 2026, understanding stock market holidays and their impact is no longer optional — it’s essential.
With SEBI registration, strong research capabilities, investor education initiatives, and tech-enabled investing tools, Swastika Investmart supports investors across every market phase.
Among the many tools and indicators used by investors and traders, one of the indicators to understand is the Put Call Ratio (PCR). The Put-Call Ratio (PCR) is a popular tool to know the market sentiment!
Let’s understand this in the simplest way possible. Think of the stock market as a tug-of-war between investors who think prices will go up (bullish) and those who think the prices will go down (bearish). Stock options, which give you the right to buy (call) or sell (put) a stock at a predetermined price at a predetermined date, can reveal these beliefs. The PCR uses options to understand which side is pulling harder!
Before diving into the Put Call Ratio itself, it's essential to understand the basics of call and put options, and Market sentiment?
Call options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy an asset at a specified price within a predetermined time frame. On the other hand, put options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to sell an asset at a specified price within a predetermined time frame.
Market sentiment is the feeling of most investors at a particular time. It indicates whether they're feeling positive (bullish) or negative (bearish) about the market in general or a specific stock.
So The Put Call Ratio (PCR) is a measure of market sentiment derived from the ratio of the trading volume of put options to call options.
The PCR is calculated using a simple formula:
PCR = Put Volume / Call Volume
Put Volume and Call Volume refer to the number of put and call option contracts traded in a day.
Example: Let's say on a particular day, 100 put contracts and 50 call contracts are traded for a stock. Here's how to find the PCR:
PCR = 100 (Put Volume) / 50 (Call Volume) = 2
A PCR of 2 suggests a bearish sentiment as more investors are buying puts, indicating a price drop.
The Put Call Ratio plays a significant role in market sentiment analysis. A high PCR value suggests that investors are bearish, indicating a potential downtrend in the market. While a low PCR value suggests that investors are bullish, indicating a potential uptrend. Ideal PCR is between 0.80-1.20.
In more simple language, A PCR value greater than 1 indicates a bearish sentiment, as there are more put options being traded in comparison to call options. A PCR value less than 1 indicates a bullish sentiment, as there are more call options being traded in comparison to put options.
Understanding PCR and its relation with market sentiment Practical Examples
Imagine a scenario where investors are feeling nervous about a stock, say ABC Ltd. They anticipate the price to go down. Here's how PCR reflects this:
Example:
A PCR of 2 indicates a negative PCR, meaning there are more puts than calls. This suggests a bearish sentiment. Investors are betting on the price to fall by buying more put options.
Now, let's imagine a different scenario where investors are optimistic about XYZ Ltd. They expect the price to increase. Here's how PCR reflects this:
Example:
A PCR of (1 / 3) is a positive PCR, meaning there are more calls than puts. This suggests a bullish sentiment. Investors are looking to profit from a price rise by buying more call options.
Sometimes, investors might be unsure about the direction of the stock price. This creates a balanced market sentiment.
Example:
Put Volume: 75 contracts
Call Volume: 75 contracts
PCR = Put Volume / Call Volume = 75 / 75 = 1
A PCR of 1 is considered neutral. Put and call volumes are equal, indicating a balanced market sentiment where investors are neither overly bullish nor bearish.
Many financial websites and trading platforms offer live and historical PCR data. You can also find specific PCRs like the Nifty 50 PCR (for the top 50 Indian stocks) or the Bank Nifty PCR (for banking stocks). Additionally, some platforms provide PCR data for individual stocks.
The Put-Call Ratio (PCR) is a valuable tool to understand investor sentiment in the stock market. By analyzing the PCR along with other factors, you can gain insights into market psychology.
The Indian stock market is a big marketplace where people buy and sell shares of ownership in companies, similar to a stock market anywhere else in the world. Here's a quick breakdown:
A brokerage in the stock market is like a middleman that helps you buy and sell stocks. They are companies or individuals authorized to buy and sell stocks on behalf of investors. The stock brokerage company that facilitates your share purchases and sales levies a fee for its services. The term "brokerage" refers to this charge.
Example of a Brokerage:
Let's say you want to buy shares of a company like TCS. You don't go directly to the stock exchange to buy them yourself. Instead, you open an demat account with a brokerage firm like Swastika Investmart. Through their online platform or app, you place an order to buy TCS shares. The brokerage then carries out the transaction for you, and the shares are added to your account.
There are currently four methods available to stock brokers in India for charging brokerage fees. Let's examine each of them individually.
The Indian stock market offers exciting opportunities, but choosing the right brokerage firm can feel difficult.
Before opening an account, have a detailed discussion with the brokerage representatives. Ensure a clear understanding of all charges involved in the transaction
By understanding these costs upfront, you can avoid surprises and make better decisions about your investment.
Brokerage plays a crucial role in the stock market by facilitating the buying and selling of shares for investors. It serves as a middleman and charges fees for its services, which can be structured as flat fees, percentage-based commissions, monthly trading plans, or zero brokerage models. Choosing the right broker requires evaluating reputation, SEBI registration, fees, trading platforms, and customer support. By understanding these factors, investors can select a brokerage that aligns with their needs, ensuring a seamless and cost-effective trading experience.
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The world of finance can be confusing, especially when it comes to terms like Securities Transaction Tax (STT). But don't worry! This blog will make STT simple. Let's explore what it is, how it works, why it's there, and what it means for you as an investor.
STT is a tax imposed by the government on the buying and selling of securities like stocks, derivatives, and certain mutual funds. Whenever you make a transaction in the stock market, a small percentage of the transaction value is collected as STT. The tax is levied at a predetermined rate, expressed as a percentage of the transaction value, and is applicable to both the buyer and the seller.
STT operates as a transaction-based tax, meaning it is triggered with every buy or sell order executed in the market. The tax rate varies based on the type of security being traded and the nature of the transaction—whether it involves delivery (holding securities beyond a specified period) or intraday trading (buying and selling within the same trading day). For instance, equity delivery trades typically attract a different STT rate compared to intraday trades. In other words STT is calculated based on the type of security you're trading and whether it's a buy or sell transaction. The rates may vary, but the idea remains the same: a little slice of your transaction goes to the government.
The primary goal of STT is twofold. Firstly, it's a way for the government to collect revenue. Secondly, it acts as a measure to regulate the stock market. By imposing a tax on transactions, especially on short-term trades, it aims to discourage excessive speculation and promote more stable, long-term investments.
The introduction of STT serves several purposes, primarily driven by governmental and regulatory objectives:
For investors, STT adds a small cost to each transaction. While it may seem like pennies at a time, it can add up, especially for frequent traders. However, it's also a transparent tax, clearly stated on your transaction records, making it easy to keep track of.
For investors participating in the securities market, STT carries both direct and indirect implications:
STT may sound intimidating at first, but it's simply a tax on stock market transactions. It serves the dual purpose of revenue generation for the government and regulating market behavior. So, the next time you see STT mentioned, just remember: it's a small fee for playing in the stock market sandbox.
In the world of finance, there are many terms that can sound intimidating to beginners. "Rollover" is one such term that might seem confusing at first glance. However, once you understand what it means, it's actually quite simple. In this blog post, we'll break down the concept of rollover in the stock market.
Rollover in the stock market refers to the process of extending the expiration date of an investment position. This typically applies to futures contracts, options, and certain other derivative instruments. Let's delve into each of these to understand rollover better:
In futures trading, investors agree to buy or sell a particular asset at a predetermined price on a specified future date. However, not all investors intend to take physical delivery of the underlying asset. Instead, they may choose to close out their position before the contract expires by offsetting their initial position with an opposite position (buying back what they sold or selling what they bought).
Rollover occurs when an investor extends the expiration date of their futures contract by closing out their current position and simultaneously opening a new position with a later expiration date. This allows investors to maintain exposure to the underlying asset without actually taking delivery.
Options contracts give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price (strike price) within a specified period. Like futures contracts, options contracts have expiration dates.
When an options holder decides to extend the expiration date of their contract, they can engage in a rollover. This involves closing out their existing position and opening a new position with a later expiration date.
Investors might choose to rollover their positions for several reasons:
Rollover is a common practice in the stock market, particularly in futures and options trading. It allows investors to extend the expiration date of their positions, providing flexibility and strategic options. By understanding the concept of rollover, investors can better manage their investments and adapt to evolving market conditions.
Are you interested in growing your wealth but find traditional investment methods difficult? If so, then a mutual fund might be the perfect solution for you.
A mutual fund is a type of investment that pools money from many investors and invests it in a variety of assets, like stocks and bonds. A professional manager, then uses that money to buy different investments on behalf of all the contributors (investors) like you. This approach allows you to gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of investments without having to pick individual stocks or bonds yourself.
OTM stands for One Time Mandate in mutual funds. It's a one-time registration process where you allow your bank to deduct a certain amount from your savings account for investing in a specific mutual fund scheme.
One Time Mandate (OTM) in mutual funds covers the following transactions:
You can use your bank account to make payments for lump-sum investments. The amount will be debited based on the fixed limit set in your OTM form.
You can start new SIPs through the OTM service. There's no need to provide bank details or a canceled cheque again.
Duration of OTM: You can set up an OTM for a specific period, like five years, or keep it active until you decide to cancel it.
Overall, OTM is a convenient way to invest in mutual funds regularly and grow your money over time.
Once you set up an OTM, your bank will deduct the specified amount from your account based on requests from the mutual fund company. These requests come from investors like you who want to invest in the mutual fund scheme. This eliminates the need for manual payments every time you want to invest.
To register for a One Time Mandate (OTM), the process is straightforward. Follow these steps:
After submitting the form, the bank will process your request. Once approved, you can start using the OTM facility for mutual fund investments.
Contact your bank. They will provide you with an OTM form to fill out. The form will ask for your personal information, bank details, and investment preferences.
OTM is a secure process because it involves your bank and a registered mutual fund company.
Yes, you can cancel OTM at any time by contacting your bank.
Your folio number is your unique identification number for your mutual fund investment. You can find it in your account statements or by contacting the mutual fund company.
OTM simplifies mutual fund investing by automating transactions, making it a hassle-free and paperless process. It ensures disciplined investing without the need for repeated manual payments, ultimately helping investors build wealth efficiently over time.
Short selling is like betting that the price of something will drop. They borrow shares from a broker and sell them right away at the current price. They hope the stock price drops so they can buy back the shares at a lower price. Then, they return the borrowed shares to the broker and keep the difference between the selling and buying prices.
Imagine borrowing a toy from a friend to sell it to someone else. You hope that by the time you have to give the toy back to your friend, its price will be lower, so you can buy it for less and return it. Short-sellers do this with stocks or other investments. They borrow them, sell them to someone else, and hope the price goes down so they can buy them back cheaper and return them. This is different from regular investors who want the price to go up.
To short sell, you'll need to open a margin account with a brokerage firm. Once you have an account, you can place a short sell order for the desired stock through your broker's trading platform.
Some regulations may limit short selling, especially during times of market volatility. Additionally, not all stocks are available for short selling, as it depends on the availability of shares to borrow.
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