Indian Stock Markets Closed on March 31 for Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday

Trading to Pause on BSE and NSE for Eid-ul-Fitr Observance

Indian stock markets will remain closed on Monday, March 31, 2025, in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid). Both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will suspend trading and settlement activities across various segments, including equities, derivatives, and securities lending and borrowing (SLB), for the day. This closure falls at the start of the trading week, effectively creating an extended weekend break for investors and traders, as the stock market will also be closed on Saturday (March 29) and Sunday (March 30), following its regular weekly schedule. Trading activity will resume as usual on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the standard market opening time of 9:15 AM.

This holiday is part of India’s annual stock market calendar, where trading is halted on significant national and religious occasions. Market participants should take note of this break and plan their investments accordingly to avoid any disruptions in trading activities. Additionally, as global markets remain open, fluctuations in international indices, commodity prices, and currency exchange rates could influence market movements when trading resumes in India.

Impact on Stock Market Operations and Trading Activity

The closure of BSE and NSE for Eid-ul-Fitr means that all trading, clearing, and settlement activities will be suspended for the day. Investors who have open positions, particularly in futures and options (F&O) contracts, margin trading, or intraday trades, should take this into account when planning their strategies.

• Orders placed before the holiday will be processed on the next trading day (April 1, 2025).

• Options contracts set to expire soon may witness increased volatility leading up to the break.

• Corporate actions, including dividends, stock splits, and buybacks, may face a one-day processing delay.

• Mutual fund NAV (Net Asset Value) calculations may be adjusted post-holiday to reflect global market movements.

Given the holiday schedule, traders should carefully review their holdings and exit or hedge risky positions to avoid potential surprises when markets reopen after the extended break.

April 2025: Stock Market Holidays to Watch Out For

March 31 is not the only trading holiday in the coming month. The Indian stock exchanges will observe three additional holidays in April, impacting market operations on the following dates:

• April 10 – Mahavir Jayanti

• April 14 – Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti

• April 18 – Good Friday

These closures mean that investors will have multiple shortened trading weeks in April, which could contribute to increased market volatility and adjustments in liquidity. Traders should be particularly cautious while entering or exiting short-term positions, as reduced trading days may impact market momentum and price stability.

Complete List of Indian Stock Market Holidays in 2025

In addition to the April holidays, the Indian stock market will remain closed on 12 occasions throughout 2025, not including regular weekend closures. Here is the full list of official market holidays for the year:

• May 1 – Maharashtra Day

• August 15 – Independence Day

• August 27 – Ganesh Chaturthi

• October 2 – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti

• October 21 – Diwali & Laxmi Pujan

• October 22 – Diwali Balipratipada

• November 5 – Prakash Gurpurb

• December 25 – Christmas

These dates mark significant national and religious occasions where market activity will be suspended. Investors and traders should consider these holidays while planning their investment strategies, F&O contract expiries, and long-term portfolio adjustments.

Regular Trading Hours and Market Sessions

The Indian stock market operates from Monday to Friday, with the following trading schedule:

• Pre-Opening Session: 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

• Regular Trading Session: 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM

• After-Market Orders: Limited order execution post 3:30 PM

On market holidays, all these trading and settlement activities remain suspended, and investors must wait until the next working day for any new trade executions or settlement processing.

How Market Participants Should Prepare for Extended Closures

For retail traders, institutional investors, and portfolio managers, an extended market closure requires strategic adjustments to manage market risks and avoid liquidity issues. Some key steps to consider ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr break include:

• Close or hedge short-term positions – As the stock market remains shut, global economic developments or geopolitical news over the extended weekend could lead to price fluctuations when markets reopen. Closing or hedging risky positions may help mitigate unwanted exposure.

• Monitor international market movements – Since the U.S., European, and Asian stock markets will remain open, Indian investors should track global indices, crude oil prices, and currency fluctuations to anticipate potential impacts on the domestic market.

• Mutual fund investors should check NAV updates – Mutual fund NAVs may be impacted by global market trends, and investors should be prepared for adjustments in fund values when markets reopen.

• Review F&O contract expiries – If traders hold options or futures contracts set to expire in early April, it’s crucial to adjust positions accordingly before the holiday break.

Market Volatility Following a Holiday Break

Extended stock market holidays often lead to sharp movements in indices when trading resumes, particularly if major global events occur during the closure period. Investors should be prepared for potential fluctuations in benchmark indices such as the Nifty 50 and Sensex, as well as sector-specific stocks that may have been influenced by international market developments.

Historically, markets have seen either a gap-up or gap-down opening after a prolonged break, driven by:

• Overseas market trends impacting investor sentiment.

• Currency fluctuations affecting foreign institutional investor (FII) activity.

• Commodity price movements, particularly in crude oil and gold, which play a crucial role in India’s economy.

• Interest rate decisions or policy changes in global markets that influence domestic equities.

Market participants should use technical indicators and global macroeconomic cues to position themselves effectively ahead of market reopening.

Sector-Wise Impact of the Market Holiday

Some sectors may be more affected by the extended closure than others, depending on industry trends and external factors.

• Banking & Financial Services: Banking stocks tend to witness higher volatility post-holiday, as interest rate movements and credit market developments influence investor sentiment.

• IT & Technology: Since most Indian IT firms have a strong global presence, NASDAQ and U.S. tech stock movements could impact sectoral trends in the domestic market.

• Pharmaceuticals: The pharma sector remains sensitive to U.S. FDA updates, international drug pricing policies, and regulatory approvals, which can lead to stock price fluctuations after a holiday.

• Oil & Gas: Crude oil price movements during the market closure could impact energy stocks, particularly in companies like Reliance Industries and ONGC.