India's BSE and NSE will remain fully closed on March 3, 2026, for the Holi festival, following a significant market drop on March 2 amid Middle East tensions. Commodity exchanges NCDEX will shut both sessions, while MCX resumes evening trading from 5 PM to 11 PM.
The Indian stock market saw a sharp decline on March 2, 2026, driven by escalating conflict in the Middle East, which pushed crude oil prices up over 10% to $80 per barrel. The Sensex fell 1,048 points (1.29%), while the Nifty dropped more than 300 points.
Markets received a break on March 3 due to the Holi holiday. Although Holi is widely celebrated on March 4, Mumbai observes Rangwali Holi on March 3, resulting in a bank holiday. BSE and NSE will suspend all trading and settlements. Sensex and Nifty 50 indices will not update.
For commodities, NCDEX—India's largest agri-commodity exchange—will remain closed for both morning and evening sessions. MCX will halt daytime trading but reopen from 5 PM to 11 PM.
Holi, a major Hindu festival marking spring's arrival, is one of several 2026 trading holidays. March includes closures on March 3 (Holi), March 26 (Ram Navami), and March 31 (Mahavir Jayanti), with 16 holidays total excluding weekends. Investors should plan accordingly.
