Market Holiday: Why is the stock market closed on March 3? Know the confusion behind NSE-BSE holiday

News India Live, Digital Desk: The Indian stock market is completely closed today, 3 March 2026, on the occasion of ‘Holi’. However, many investors on social media are surprised that when colorful Holi is to be celebrated tomorrow (Wednesday) in most places, why is the holiday given today? Behind this are religious calculations and the annual calendar already decided by the exchange.1. Why holiday only today (3 March)? (The Real Reason) Stock market holidays are decided at the beginning of the year based on the Hindu Lunar Calendar and ‘Tithis’. Significance of Holika Dahan: Traditionally, ‘Holika Dahan’ (Chhoti Holi) is being celebrated on the evening of 3 March. Exchanges have chosen this day as an official holiday. Impact of Lunar Eclipse: Due to Lunar Eclipse occurring on March 3 this year, there was disagreement in many areas regarding the dates of the festival, due to which Holi of colors is being celebrated publicly on March 4. But NSE/BSE has not made any changes in its pre-announced calendar (Holidays 2026).2. Which segments are closed? (Segments Closed) Today there will be a halt in all the main segments of the stock market: Equity (Cash): Buying and selling of shares will not be possible today. Derivatives (F&O): Futures and options deals of Nifty and Bank Nifty will remain closed. Currency: There will be no trading in the Forex market too. Settlement: Today is also ‘Settlement Holiday’, which means that the transactions made on March 2 will be closed. Funds or shares of trades will be credited tomorrow.3. Commodity Market (MCX) Timings: The holiday on Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) is for half a day only: Morning Session: Closed from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Evening Session: Trading will open from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM. That means commodity traders will be able to trade in the evening.4. What will happen tomorrow (4th March)? (Market Status on March 4) The stock market will remain open tomorrow when the entire country will be celebrating Holi of colors. Normal Trading: The market will function normally from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm on Wednesday, March 4. Traders’ demand: Many traders on social media (X) had demanded that the holiday be shifted to March 4, but the exchanges have decided to stick to the old schedule.5. Current situation of the market: Monday’s ‘crash’ (Market Recap) Today’s holiday is also a kind of ‘break’ for investors, because yesterday (2 March) a huge fall was seen in the market: Big fall: Due to increasing tension in the Middle East (Khamenei’s death and Israel-Iran conflict), Sensex closed down by 1048 points and Nifty fell by 312 points. Global signals: During today’s holiday, the global markets (US and Asia) closed down. The move will decide the opening of the Indian market tomorrow on Wednesday.