In observance of Holi 2026, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) remain closed on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) is also shut for regular trading today, though it will conduct an evening session as per its standard holiday protocol.
Holi Holiday Banking:
Banks across India are also closed on March 3 in most states observing Holi today. However, the holiday schedule varies by state. In some states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, banks observe the holiday on March 3, while other states will observe it on March 4 (the day of Dhuleti/Holi Dahan).
Investors and traders are advised to check the RBI’s official list of bank holidays for their specific state before visiting a branch or planning transactions.
Market Impact:
The closure comes at a particularly volatile time for global financial markets, with oil prices surging and Sensex having already declined sharply due to the US-Israel-Iran war. When markets reopen on March 4, analysts expect continued volatility driven by geopolitical uncertainty.
On the previous trading day (February 28), the Sensex fell over 1,500 points as oil prices surged following the initial US-Israel strikes on Iran. Banking, auto, and realty stocks were among the worst performers.
Upcoming Trading Schedule:
- March 3 (Tuesday): CLOSED (Holi)
- March 4 (Wednesday): Markets to reopen
- March 5 (Thursday): Regular trading
MCX Evening Session:
The MCX will conduct an evening session from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM on March 3 for commodity trading.
With the India-Iran conflict threatening energy supplies and global markets in turmoil, investors are closely watching for any diplomatic developments that could calm the situation before markets reopen tomorrow.
The RBI has issued advisories to all banks to ensure essential services like ATMs, internet banking, and mobile banking remain operational throughout the holiday period.