The markets represented by the 50-share Nifty and the 30-share Sensex, will remain closed on Wednesday, February 26 on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. Indian stock markets are often closed on special occasions such as festivals and clearing holidays. Notably, Indian markets will witness the first trading holiday of the calendar year 2025 in February.
Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival which celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark half of the lunar month of Phalguna as per the Hindu calendar.
With the stock markets being closed for trading on February 26, the current week will be considered a truncated trading week. On the first day of the truncated trading week, February 24, the Sensex and Nifty50 fell for the fifth straight session, closing lower by nearly 1 per cent.
The 30-share Sensex closed lower by 856.65 points or 1.14 per cent to close at 74,454.41 levels and the Nifty50 dropped 242.55 points or 1.06 per cent to close at 22,553.35.
As many as 38 out of 50 constituents of the Nifty50 closed lower on February 24. Automaker Mahindra and Mahindra emerged as the top-gainer as it closed 1.78 per cent higher. Other major gainers included Kotak Mahindra Bank, diversified FMCG player ITC and pharma company Dr. Reddy's Laboratories. On the other hand, Infosys emerged as the top loser closing 3.57 per cent lower. Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, HDFC Bank Ltd, Bharti Airtel Ltd. and ICICI Bank Ltd. also emerged as key losers.
Market Holidays In 2025
The stock market is scheduled to remain closed for a total of 14 days in 2025, according to NSE’s holiday calendar. Notably, the stock market will also remain closed for two days in March on the occasion of Holi on March 14 and Id-Ul-Fitr on March 31. Other upcoming holidays include Shri Mahavir Jayanti on April 10, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14 and Good Friday on April 18.
Generally, the Indian stock market operates between 9:15 AM and 3:30 PM, from Monday to Friday. Additionally, a pre-open session is also held from 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM on regular trading days.
