The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE follow a pre-announced holiday calendar, and March 3 was the scheduled closure for Holi this year. Although many states are expected to celebrate Holi on March 4, trading will continue as usual in the equities, derivatives and currency sectors.
In 2026, Indian exchanges will be closed for 15 days, covering a mix of national and religious events.
The next stops will be Ram Naami on March 26 and Mahavir Jayanti on March 31. During the month of April, trading will be suspended on Friday, April 3, and April 14, Ambedkar Jayanti. There will also be a holiday on 1st May as Maharashtra Day.
Eid al-Baqara on May 28 and Muharram on June 26 will mark additional closures in the first half of the year. In the second half of 2026, markets will be closed for Gish Charvarti on September 14 and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. Dosya will be celebrated on October 20, followed by Diwali Balipartipada on November 10 and Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 24. The last commercial holiday of the year will be on December 25.
Independence Day, August 15, falls on a weekend in 2026, so there will be no additional market closure after the regular Saturday break.
Also Read | Silver and gold ETFs rise as much as 18% as US-Israeli attacks on Iran fuel safe haven demand. What should investors do?
What next for Indian markets?
The holidays come amid heightened volatility in domestic affairs. On Monday, markets witnessed sharp selling pressure, losing more than 1% amid weak international cues and geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The Nifty opened with a gap during the session and extended losses before settling slightly lower at 24,865 in the last hour.
The fall was massive. Auto, real estate and energy stocks led the losses, while only a few defensive names and top metal stocks showed resistance. Broader markets also remained under pressure, with mid-cap and small-cap indices down more than 1.5%, reflecting widespread caution among investors.
Investor sentiment has soured after oil prices rose amid tensions in the Middle East. The rise in oil has raised concerns about inflation, currency pressures and a higher import bill for India, weighing on equities. Volatility indices have also risen as participants have reduced exposure for fear of further increases.
Ajit Mishra, senior director of research at Releger Broking, said the latest decline has pushed the Nifty close to its swing low around 24,600.
“A decisive break below this could extend the correction to the 24,400 mark. On the upside, the 25,000 to 25,250 zone may act as an immediate barrier in case of any recovery,” he said. Mishra advised investors to maintain a cautious stance, keep position size clear and focus on disciplined risk management given the current volatility.
((rejection: The recommendations, suggestions, opinions and views given by the experts are their own. (It does not represent the views of The Economic Times.)
