As of Monday, March 31, 2025, the Indian stock market remains closed in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr, a widely celebrated Islamic festival marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Both major stock exchanges—Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE)—have suspended all trading activities for the day.
All equity, equity derivatives, currency derivatives, securities lending and borrowing (SLB), and electronic gold receipts (EGR) markets are shut for the full trading day. Investors, traders, and institutions must plan accordingly, keeping this closure in mind for all financial strategies and transactions.
What Are Stock Market Holidays?
Stock market holidays are specific days when financial markets suspend operations due to national celebrations, religious observances, or major political events. These holidays provide an opportunity for institutions, brokers, and traders to take a break from active market participation. For retail and institutional investors alike, awareness of these days is critical for portfolio management, risk mitigation, and planning trades or settlements.
Each year, the exchanges publish an official list of holidays at the beginning of the calendar year. This transparency allows everyone involved in the market to prepare in advance for non-trading days.
Why Is the Stock Market Closed on March 31, 2025?
The closure of the Indian stock market on March 31 is due to Eid-ul-Fitr, a significant religious festival for Muslims around the world. On this day, followers celebrate the conclusion of a month-long fast, engage in prayers, exchange gifts, and enjoy festive meals.
India, being a secular and diverse country, recognizes the importance of such religious events, and the financial sector respects these observances. Therefore, the trading halt enables people working across the ecosystem—brokers, analysts, clearinghouses, and regulators—to honor the occasion.
Holiday Calendar: List of Market Closures in 2025
In addition to Eid-ul-Fitr, Indian stock markets remain closed on multiple days throughout the year. Below is a snapshot of the 2025 holiday calendar for BSE and NSE:
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January 26 (Sunday): Republic Day
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February 26 (Wednesday): Maha Shivaratri
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March 14 (Friday): Holi
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March 31 (Monday): Eid-ul-Fitr
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April 10 (Thursday): Mahavir Jayanti
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April 14 (Monday): Ambedkar Jayanti
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April 18 (Friday): Good Friday
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May 1 (Thursday): Maharashtra Day
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August 15 (Friday): Independence Day
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August 27 (Wednesday): Ganesh Chaturthi
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October 2 (Thursday): Gandhi Jayanti/Dussehra
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October 21 (Tuesday): Diwali Laxmi Pujan (Muhurat Trading Session)
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October 22 (Wednesday): Balipratipada
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November 5 (Wednesday): Guru Nanak Jayanti
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December 25 (Thursday): Christmas
Do note that Muhurat Trading, a symbolic trading session, will occur on October 21. The exchanges will announce the timing details closer to the event.
What Happens When the Market Closes?
When the market closes for a public holiday, all trading activities come to a complete stop. This means:
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No buying or selling of shares, commodities, or derivatives.
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Settlement cycles pause, so the delivery and clearance of previously executed trades may experience delays.
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No price movement for any listed security on the exchange.
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Banking and clearing houses also take the day off or operate with limited functionality.
Investors must account for these closures in their short-term strategy, especially if they anticipate volatility around the holiday.
Do Commodity and Currency Markets Also Close?
Not always.
On March 31, 2025, the commodity markets remain closed in the morning session but reopen in the evening. Trading will resume from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM, allowing those in the commodity derivatives segment to catch up on global developments and place trades accordingly.
Currency and bond markets follow the broader closure norms. If equity markets shut down, the currency and interest rate derivatives segments often do the same unless explicitly stated otherwise by the exchanges.
How Should Investors Prepare?
Stock market holidays might seem like simple breaks, but they impact momentum, sentiment, and even short-term price action. Here’s how investors can stay proactive:
1. Adjust Portfolio Positions
Use the downtime to review asset allocations, performance, and recent earnings reports. Reassess your risk appetite, rebalance if necessary, and set alerts for the market’s reopening.
2. Be Prepared for Global Cues
International markets remain open during Indian holidays. Watch out for significant moves in the U.S., European, or Asian indices that could influence Indian equities when they reopen.
3. Schedule Liquidity Requirements
If you plan to withdraw or deploy large sums, avoid scheduling around holidays. Delays in settlement cycles might hold your funds up for longer than expected.
4. Place After-Market Orders
If your broker allows, use after-market orders (AMOs) to queue trades that will execute as soon as the market reopens. It’s especially useful if you expect a gap-up or gap-down opening.
Recent Market Developments Before the Closure
Before closing for Eid-ul-Fitr, the markets wrapped up the fiscal year on March 28, 2025, with a mildly bearish tone. The Nifty 50 slipped 72.60 points to close at 23,519.35, while the Sensex fell 191.51 points to 77,414.92. Despite the minor drop, both indices ended the financial year with 5%+ annual gains.
Sectors such as infrastructure and IT posted strong fiscal performances, with companies like Infosys and Larsen & Toubro gaining significant investor attention.
Also making headlines, the government increased its stake in Vodafone Idea to nearly 49%, converting ₹36,950 crore of spectrum dues into equity. This strategic move could reshape the telecom landscape in the coming fiscal year.
Another notable development was BSE’s announcement of a 2:1 bonus issue, which caused its shares to rally over 16%, reflecting positive market sentiment around capital restructuring initiatives.
Internal Market Alerts
India’s financial landscape continues evolving beyond equities. The insurance and pension sectors are also witnessing transformation. For instance, the European insurance watchdog EIOPA has proposed a 100% capital requirement for crypto assets, which could influence regulatory standards in India too. Learn more about that proposal in our detailed analysis here:
👉 EIOPA Proposes 100% Capital Rule for Crypto Assets
Final Thoughts
The Indian stock market remains closed today, March 31, 2025, in celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. Traders and investors must stay aware of such closures to avoid missteps and missed opportunities. These breaks in trading activity provide time for analysis, planning, and reflection.
As the market reopens on Tuesday, April 1, expect volume surges, reactions to global cues, and new positions driving initial volatility. Stay informed, manage your risks, and keep your strategies aligned with macroeconomic indicators and sectoral developments.
