Indian Market Holiday arrangements have paused regular stock trading on Tuesday, October 20, for Dussehra. The National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange will reopen on Wednesday, October 21.
The exchanges included Dussehra in their 2026 trading holiday calendars. Consequently, investors cannot trade equities, equity derivatives, currencies, or securities lending and borrowing products on Tuesday.
However, the Multi Commodity Exchange of India follows a different holiday schedule. It suspends morning trading but plans to resume commodity transactions during the evening session. Therefore, some commodity market activity will continue later in the day.
The holiday follows a difficult Monday session, when Indian equities recorded significant losses. Investors faced selling pressure amid weakness in private bank shares, disappointing corporate earnings, and rising crude oil prices. Together, these factors weighed on market sentiment.
The BSE Sensex fell 876.37 points, or 1.17 percent, to close at 73,852.90. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 dropped 257.20 points, representing a 1.11 percent decline, to finish at 22,888.95.
Selling affected most major sectors, although public-sector banking shares recorded gains. The Nifty PSU Bank index rose 2.41 percent, making it the only major sectoral index to close higher.
By contrast, the Nifty IT index declined 1.56 percent, while the Nifty FMCG index lost 1.40 percent. These movements reflected broad weakness across sectors as investors responded to earnings concerns and rising energy costs.
Vikram Kasat, chief business officer for advisory and dealing at PL Capital, identified several factors behind Monday’s decline. He cited weakness in private banks, earnings below expectations, and cautious sentiment across global markets. Moreover, he said these concerns encouraged investors to book profits.
Kasat also warned that markets could remain volatile as investors assess upcoming developments. Corporate earnings, crude oil prices, and currency stability will therefore remain important indicators when trading resumes.
Oil prices have added pressure because India relies heavily on imported crude. Brent crude traded at 109.66 US dollars per barrel when the report appeared, gaining 0.10 percent.
Although the daily increase was modest, elevated oil prices continue to raise concerns about inflation and business expenses. Higher energy costs can affect transportation, manufacturing, and other fuel-dependent industries. Additionally, sustained increases may influence company profits and consumer prices.
The Indian Market Holiday creates a one-day pause in regular equity trading, but investors still face several market uncertainties. Traders will return on Wednesday to evaluate corporate earnings, crude oil movements, currency changes, and international market signals.
Monday’s losses provide an important backdrop for the next trading session. However, the market’s response will depend on incoming developments and investor assessments once trading resumes. Investors will continue watching the main economic and corporate indicators for signs of changing sentiment.
