Is the Stock Market (BSE and NSE) Closed on Dhanteras, Oct 18, 2025? Here's What Investors Should Know

Dhanteras, a significant festival marking the beginning of Diwali celebrations, falls on October 18, 2025, which is Saturday. According to the official stock market holiday calendar for 2025, both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will be closed on Dhanteras. This is because stock markets in India are always closed on weekends, including Saturdays and Sundays, regardless of festivals. Hence, since October 18 falls on a Saturday, there will be no trading activity on either exchange on this day.

Official Holiday Schedule for October 2025

The Indian stock markets follow a holiday calendar issued by the NSE and BSE, which lists all official trading holidays. In October 2025, several market holidays coincide with Hindu festivals. For October, the key holidays are:

• October 18, 2025 (Saturday) – Dhanteras (market closed due to weekend)
• October 19, 2025 (Sunday) – Weekend (market closed)
• October 21, 2025 (Tuesday) – Diwali Laxmi Pujan (market closed)
• October 22, 2025 (Wednesday) – Balipratipada (market closed for some segments)

Besides these dates, a special one-hour Muhurat trading session, which is symbolic and celebratory in nature, will be held on October 21, the day of Diwali. This session will operate between 1:45 PM and 2:45 PM, marking the start of the new Hindu calendar year Samvat 2082. However, regular full-day trading will not occur on Diwali or the other festival days.

Why Are Markets Closed on Dhanteras 2025?

Market closures on festivals are common in India to respect cultural and religious sentiments. In the case of Dhanteras 2025, the closure is not just because of the festival but also due to it falling on a Saturday. The Indian stock markets remain closed on weekends as a standard practice. Therefore, the markets will remain closed without additional holiday considerations overlapping.

What is Muhurat Trading?

Muhurat Trading is a special one-hour trading session held on the day of Diwali (October 21, 2025). It is a symbolic session that signifies prosperity and good fortune for the coming year. During this time, the markets open for a limited window from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM, with trade modifications allowed until 2:55 PM.

The Muhurat session is highly anticipated by investors and traders as it sets a positive tone for the new financial year in the Hindu calendar. Although trading volumes tend to be lower during this session compared to regular market days, historically, benchmark indices often close in the green, symbolising optimism.

Impact of Dhanteras and Diwali Holidays on Market Participants

The consecutive holidays during the Diwali festival season, including Dhanteras (weekend), Diwali itself, and Balipratipada, mean that traders and investors get an extended break from trading activities during mid-October 2025. This break allows market participants to spend quality time with family and enjoy the festive spirit.

However, the market closure also implies that any significant global or domestic financial developments occurring during this period will only be reflected in the market prices once normal trading resumes, starting Monday, October 20, 2025.

Read More, Diwali Muhurat Trading 2025: Check When BSE and NSE Will Be Closed for Diwali 2025!

Conclusion

Investors and traders should note that the Indian stock markets will not operate on Dhanteras 2025 due to this day coinciding with a weekend. The festive season will see limited trading days, but the special Muhurat trading session on Diwali offers a symbolic start to the new Hindu financial year. Planning investments around these closures is recommended for seamless portfolio management and market participation.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.