On Friday, April 18, 2025, the Indian stock markets will remain closed in observance of Good Friday, marking yet another extended weekend for traders. This closure affects major exchanges including the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), where all trading activities will be suspended.
As a result of this holiday, trading in various segments such as equity, equity derivatives, securities lending and borrowing (SLB), currency derivatives, and commodity derivatives will not take place on this day. The markets will resume regular operations on Monday, April 21, 2025, adhering to standard trading hours from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM IST, which includes a pre-opening session from 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM and a closing session between 3:30 PM and 3:40 PM.
This holiday is part of a series of breaks that the Indian stock markets have observed in April 2025. Just prior to Good Friday, the markets were also closed on April 14 for Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti and on April 10 for Mahavir Jayanti. In total, April has seen three market holidays, making it a particularly short trading month for investors.
Looking ahead, the next holiday for the Indian exchanges is scheduled for May 1, 2025, in celebration of Maharashtra Day. Following this, there will be no holidays in June and July, allowing for a continuous stretch of trading days until the next holiday on August 15, 2025, which marks Independence Day.
Despite the upcoming break, the Indian stock markets have recently been on a positive trajectory. On Thursday, April 17, 2025, the BSE Sensex surged by 1,508.91 points, or 1.96%, closing at 78,553.20. The NSE's Nifty50 index also saw significant gains, climbing 414.45 points, or 1.77%, to settle at 23,851.65. This upward momentum came as both benchmark indices experienced a notable increase of up to 4.5% over the previous week, with the BSE Sensex adding more than 3,330 points and the Nifty50 gaining over 1,000 points in just three trading sessions.
Broader market gauges, including the BSE midcap and smallcap indices, also performed well, with gains ranging from 4.4% to 4.8% in the last three trading sessions. This positive sentiment in the market has been buoyed by favorable domestic and global cues, despite mixed signals from Wall Street. On April 17, the S&P 500 rose by 0.13% to close at 5,282.70, while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced slight declines.
As traders prepare for the extended weekend, many are reflecting on the recent volatility and the implications of the upcoming trading sessions. With trading ceasing across all segments, investors are encouraged to plan their transactions accordingly. The market's performance in the lead-up to this holiday has sparked discussions about the potential for continued growth and the factors that could influence trading once the markets reopen.
For those looking to stay informed about market holidays, the official BSE website provides a comprehensive list of trading holidays for 2025. This allows traders and investors to plan their strategies effectively and avoid any surprises during holiday periods.
In summary, with Good Friday marking a pause in trading activities, investors will have the opportunity to regroup and strategize for the upcoming trading sessions. The Indian stock market's recent performance has set a positive tone, and many are hopeful that this trend will continue as they return to the trading floor next week.
