After weeks of heavy selling and strong volatility, stock market investors will get a much-needed respite as trading will remain closed for several sessions this week.
The stock market has been under pressure due to global tensions, rising oil prices and sustained selling by foreign investors, and the holidays now offer a pause in this turbulent phase.
Both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) are closed on Tuesday, March 31 due to Mahavir Jayanti 2026. This is the first of two trading holidays for the week, reducing the number of active trading sessions on Dalal Street.
MARKETS CLOSED FOR TWO DAYS THIS WEEK
According to the official holiday schedule of BSE and NSE, markets will remain closed on March 31 for Mahavir Jayanti and again on April 3 for Good Friday. This means that of the five business days of the week, the markets will be open for only three sessions.
The April 3 holiday will also lead to a long weekend for investors. Several global markets will also remain closed that day, including the US stock market.
While stock markets will be closed on March 31, the commodities market will see partial trading. The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will remain closed during the morning session, but will reopen for trading in the afternoon session, from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
UPCOMING STOCK MARKET HOLIDAYS IN 2026
After the holiday on April 3, markets will again remain closed on April 14 for Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti.
Looking ahead, there are several more holidays scheduled for the year. In May, markets will be closed on May 1 for Maharashtra Day and May 28 for Bakri Id. In June, there will be a holiday on June 26 for Muharram.
There are no market holidays in July and August. The next holiday after that will be September 14 for Ganesh Chaturthi. October and November will each have two market holidays, while the last holiday of the year will fall in December for Christmas.
MARKETS UNDER PRESSURE IN MARCH
The pause comes after a difficult month for the Indian stock market. The Nifty 50 index has fallen almost 10% in March, marking its worst monthly performance since 2020. The index is also on track to close lower for the fourth consecutive month.
Several factors have weighed on the market, including the weakening rupee, rising crude oil prices and continued selling by foreign investors. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has increased uncertainty and heightened risk aversion among global investors.
The US-Israel conflict with Iran has entered its fifth week and has expanded across the region, further impacting global sentiment.
FII SALES AT RECORD LEVELS
Pabitro Mukherjee, associate vice president of technical research at Bajaj Broking, said foreign institutional investors have carried out one of the biggest sell-offs in recent history.
“Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) executed an unprecedented sell-off in Indian equities during March 2026. The total withdrawal crossed Rs 1.11 lakh crore, reflecting a sharp shift in global investor sentiment towards a risk-averse approach,” it said.
He added that FIIs remained consistent sellers throughout the month, with outflows recorded in almost every trading session.
“The cumulative liquidation of over Rs 1.11 lakh crore places this episode among the largest in the history of Indian capital markets,” it said.
REASONS BEHIND THE SALE SALES
Mukherjee noted that the main trigger for this sale has been the increase in geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which have increased global uncertainty.
He also highlighted other factors that increase the pressure.
“A weakening of the Indian rupee, which breached the Rs 95 mark against the US dollar, a sharp rise in crude oil prices and a broader global sentiment of risk aversion have contributed to capital outflows,” it said.
These factors have reduced returns for foreign investors and pushed them to withdraw money from Indian markets.
IMPACT ON STOCK MARKETS
The impact of these sustained sales has been clearly visible in market performance. The Nifty 50 has corrected more than 15% from its high in the last three months.
Since the start of the conflict on February 28, 2026, markets have suffered five consecutive weeks of losses. Of the total decline of 15% in three months, more than 13% occurred in the last month alone.
This period has seen one of the most acute phases of risk aversion since the market turmoil during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
With markets closed for two sessions this week, investors can get some relief from the current volatility. However, the overall direction of the market will continue to depend on global developments, especially geopolitical tensions and the movement of crude oil prices.
(Disclaimer: The views, opinions, recommendations and suggestions expressed by experts/brokers in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading decisions.)
– Finish
