Stock Market Holiday Alert: Why Nifty Expiry is Today and What Happens on March 26

MUMBAI – Investors and traders on Dalal Street are facing a truncated and highly volatile week. Both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will remain closed tomorrow, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in observance of Ram Navami.

The Expiry Shift: Act Today

The most critical takeaway for derivative traders is the shift in the expiry calendar. Since Thursday is a trading holiday, the Weekly and Monthly F&O Expiry for Nifty, Bank Nifty, and Midcap Nifty is taking place today, Wednesday, March 25.

Failure to square off or roll over positions by 3:30 PM today could lead to physical delivery obligations or unintended auto-liquidation by brokers.

MCX and Commodity Trading

While the equity markets are fully shut, the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will follow a split schedule:

• Morning Session (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM): Closed.

• Evening Session (5:00 PM onwards): Open for trading.

This is vital for traders tracking Gold and Crude Oil, as the evening session will react to any volatility coming from the US and European markets while Indian equity traders are away.

Crude Oil & Geopolitical Headwinds

The holiday comes at a time of extreme sensitivity. Brent crude remains stubbornly above the $100-mark (averaging $105 for March) due to the ongoing West Asia tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

• Paints & Chemicals: These sectors remain under pressure as crude-linked raw material costs eat into H1FY27 margin expectations.

• Aviation: Stocks like InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) are facing turbulence as ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) prices surge.

• The Rupee Factor: With the INR hovering near the 94-level against the USD, FII (Foreign Institutional Investor) selling has intensified, wiping out significant market wealth in March alone.

What’s Next?

After the Ram Navami break, the markets will reopen on Friday, March 27. However, the “holiday mood” will be short-lived; the market faces another closure next Tuesday, March 31, for Mahavir Jayanti, which is also the final day of the 2025-26 Financial Year.

Investor Tip: Avoid carrying unhedged overnight positions over the holiday. Global cues during the Thursday break could lead to a significant “gap” opening on Friday morning.