Will the Stock Market Be Closed on January 14?
Makar Sankranti, a widely celebrated harvest festival in India, is known by different names across regions, such as Lohri in Punjab and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Despite its cultural significance, traders and investors might wonder if stock markets will operate on this day.
As per the 2025 holiday calendar released by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE), the stock markets will remain open for trading on January 14. While Makar Sankranti is a public holiday in many states and banks remain closed, it does not feature on the official list of market holidays for the year.
Why Stock Markets Stay Open on Makar Sankranti
Indian stock exchanges follow a predefined holiday schedule that doesn’t always align with regional or cultural festivities. For 2025, the calendar includes 14 official holidays, excluding festivals like Pongal, Ugadi, and Makar Sankranti.
This means that trading in equities, derivatives, commodities, bonds, and currencies will proceed as usual on January 14. Markets will adhere to their standard operating hours, opening at 9:15 AM and closing at 3:30 PM.
Official Stock Market Holidays for 2025
Here’s the complete list of holidays when the Indian stock markets will remain closed this year:
- February 26 – Mahashivratri
- March 14 – Holi
- March 31 – Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramzan Id)
- April 10 – Shri Mahavir Jayanti
- April 14 – Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti
- April 18 – Good Friday
- May 1 – Maharashtra Day
- August 15 – Independence Day
- August 27 – Ganesh Chaturthi
- October 2 – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
- October 21 – Diwali (Laxmi Pujan)
- October 22 – Diwali (Balipratipada)
- November 5 – Prakash Gurpurb (Guru Nanak Jayanti)
- December 25 – Christmas
Additionally, trading is paused on weekends, meaning Republic Day (January 26) and Ram Navami (April 6), both falling on Sundays, will also not affect regular trading schedules.
About Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a festival that marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara). It symbolizes the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. Across India, the festival is celebrated with various traditions:
- Lohri in Punjab is observed with bonfires, folk dances, and songs.
- In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, people enjoy kite flying and feasts.
- Pongal in Tamil Nadu is a thanksgiving festival dedicated to the Sun God.
Key Takeaway for Traders
On January 14, 2025, the Indian stock markets will remain operational, ensuring uninterrupted trading. Traders and investors can plan their strategies accordingly, keeping in mind that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has declared a bank holiday on the same day.
Stay updated on market schedules to make informed trading decisions!
