Is the Stock Market Closed on Raksha Bandhan (28th Aug 2026)?
Key takeaways
- NSE and BSE will remain open for trading on 28th August 2026, so investors can trade as usual.
- Raksha Bandhan is not an NSE settlement holiday, meaning the regular settlement cycle will continue.
- MCX will also remain open, with commodity trading continuing normally.
- Banks will remain closed in selected centres, including Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Dehradun, Jaipur, Lucknow and Srinagar, which may affect some banking activities.
- Investors should check their bank's holiday schedule and plan fund transfers or time-sensitive transactions to avoid delays.
NSE and BSE are scheduled to remain open on 28th August 2026 for regular trading, while MCX is also scheduled to remain operational. However, Raksha Bandhan is a bank holiday in selected locations, which will impact fund transfers and banking-related activities.
Here is what will remain open, what may be affected and what investors should know before the holiday.
Why is Raksha Bandhan celebrated in India?
Raksha Bandhan, commonly known as Rakhi, is the festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. On the occasion, sisters traditionally tie a rakhi around their brothers' wrists, while brothers offer gifts and a promise of protection.
In 2026, Raksha Bandhan falls on Friday, 28th August. The date is identified as a holiday in several banking locations, although it is not a nationwide bank holiday.
Are NSE and BSE open on 28th August 2026?
Yes, both NSE and BSE will remain open for trading on Friday, 28th August 2026.
The official NSE trading holiday calendar for 2026 does not list Raksha Bandhan among the exchange's trading holidays. BSE's 2026 trading calendar also does not include 28th August as a trading holiday.
Investors can hence continue to place and execute buy and sell orders during the regular market session.
Unlike some festival holidays, Raksha Bandhan will not result in a full-day closure of the equity market.
Will 28th August be a settlement holiday?
No, Raksha Bandhan is not listed as a settlement holiday for the regular NSE trading schedule.
So, regular trading and settlement will continue as usual. However, banks may remain closed in some locations, so investors should keep their local bank holiday schedule in mind when planning transactions.
Will MCX remain open on Raksha Bandhan?
Yes, MCX is scheduled to remain open for trading on 28th August 2026.
Raksha Bandhan does not appear in MCX's 2026 trading-holiday calendar. The exchange operates from Monday to Friday except on specified holidays, so commodity trading will continue as normal on the day.
Commodity traders should still keep their banking arrangements in mind, particularly when dealing with fund transfers or other bank-dependent activities.
Will the T+1 settlement cycle be affected?
The regular equity market follows a T+1 rolling settlement cycle, under which eligible trades are normally settled on the next working settlement day.
Since 28th August 2026 is not an NSE trading or regular settlement holiday, the normal settlement cycle will continue. However, investors using bank accounts in centres observing the Raksha Bandhan holiday should separately consider the effect of branch closures on their banking activities.
This is particularly relevant when investors need to arrange funds, make payments or complete other bank-dependent activities around the settlement date.
Will banks remain closed on 28th August 2026?
Bank holidays are location-specific. According to the RBI Holiday Matrix for 2026, Friday, 28th August is a bank holiday in centres including Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Dehradun, Gangtok, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kochi, Lucknow, Shimla, Srinagar and Thiruvananthapuram.
Digital services such as UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATMs may continue to operate, but availability can vary by bank and transaction type. Investors should check their bank's schedule before planning fund transfers or time-sensitive transactions.
How can the bank holiday affect investors?
The bank holiday is unlikely to stop stock-market trading, but it can affect banking and fund-related activities in the affected centres.
Some important implications include:
- NSE and BSE will remain open for regular trading
- MCX will also remain open
- Bank branches will remain closed in selected centres
- Fund transfers or other bank-dependent processes may take longer
- Investors should plan cash requirements and banking transactions in advance
- Digital banking services may continue even when physical branches are closed
Broker platforms such as Dhan also publish trading holiday schedules, FnO expiry updates and operational advisories for traders during exchange holidays.
Final thoughts
Indian stock market will remain open on 28th August 2026, for Raksha Bandhan, with NSE, BSE & MCX scheduled to continue normal trading. Raksha Bandhan is, however, a bank holiday in selected locations including Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Dehradun, Gangtok, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kochi, Lucknow, Shimla, Srinagar and Thiruvananthapuram.
For investors, holidays are more relevant to banking and fund-related activities than to stock market trading. Checking the RBI holiday schedule and arranging important banking transactions in advance can help you avoid unnecessary delays.
