In a significant move, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced changes to its trading schedule, with equity and derivatives markets operating on Saturday, January 20, and remaining closed on Monday, January 22. The decision is attributed to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, declared a public holiday by the Maharashtra government under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Saturday Trading Session:
On Saturday, January 20, the NSE will conduct a regular trading session from 9 am to 3:30 pm, excluding Disaster Recovery movements. The equity and equity derivatives markets will operate normally, with pre-open starting at 9 am. Notably, the usual price bands for a normal trading day will be applicable.

Additionally, the Nifty Midcap expiry date has been shifted to Saturday instead of Monday, aligning with the adjusted trading schedule.

Monday Trading Holiday:
In observance of the public holiday declared by the Maharashtra government on Monday, January 22, markets will be closed for equity and equity derivatives. The closure extends to government securities (primary and secondary), foreign exchange, money markets, and rupee interest rate derivatives, as declared by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The RBI modified its earlier circular, stating that the Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction conducted on Friday with a reversal date of January 22 will now be reversed on January 23. Furthermore, a two-day VRR auction will replace the previously announced three-day auction on January 23.

Public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across the country will observe a half-day closure on January 22. The Department of Personnel and Training has issued an order for a half-day closure for central government establishments on the same day.

Special Trading Session Postponed:
The special trading session initially scheduled for Saturday has been postponed. This session aimed to assess the exchange's preparedness to handle major disruptions or failures at the primary site, involving an intra-day switch over from the Primary Site (PR) to the Disaster Recovery (DR) site. The revised plan involves two sessions – the first from 9:15 am to 10 am at the PR and the second from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the DR site.

These adjustments in the trading schedule demonstrate the NSE's commitment to accommodating public events and holidays, ensuring a seamless and orderly functioning of the financial markets. Traders and investors are advised to take note of these changes to plan their activities accordingly during this period of altered market dynamics. As the NSE continues to adapt to unique circumstances, market participants can anticipate a return to the regular trading schedule following the holiday on January 22.

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