The Indian stock market will remain open on Wednesday, March 4, even as Holi celebrations continue in several parts of the country. The official trading holiday for Holi in 2026 was observed on Tuesday, March 3, and there will be no exchange closure on Wednesday.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE follow a pre-declared holiday calendar, and March 3 was the designated closure for Holi this year. Although many states are expected to celebrate Holi on March 4, trading will proceed as usual across equity, derivatives and currency segments.

In 2026, Indian exchanges will remain closed for a total of 15 days, covering a mix of national and religious occasions.

The next closures will be Ram Navami on March 26 and Mahavir Jayanti on March 31. In April, trading will remain suspended on Good Friday, April 3, and Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14. Maharashtra Day on May 1 will also be a holiday.

Bakri Id on May 28 and Muharram on June 26 will mark additional closures in the first half of the year. In the second half of 2026, markets will be shut for Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14 and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. Dussehra will be observed on October 20, followed by Diwali Balipratipada on November 10 and Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 24. The final trading holiday of the year will be Christmas on December 25.

Independence Day, August 15, falls on a weekend in 2026, so there will be no additional market closure beyond the regular Saturday break.
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What next for Indian markets?

The holiday comes amid heightened volatility in domestic equities. On Monday, markets witnessed sharp selling pressure, losing more than 1% amid weak global cues and escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The Nifty opened with a gap down and extended losses during the session before trimming some decline in the final hour to settle at 24,865.

The fall was broad-based. Auto, realty and energy stocks led the losses, while only a few defensive names and select metal stocks showed resilience. Broader markets also remained under pressure, with mid-cap and smallcap indices slipping by more than 1.5%, reflecting widespread caution among investors.

Investor sentiment has deteriorated following a surge in crude oil prices amid Middle East tensions. The spike in oil has raised concerns over inflation, currency pressure and a higher import bill for India, weighing on equities. Volatility indicators have also moved higher as participants reduced exposure amid fears of further escalation.

Ajit Mishra, Senior Vice President of Research at Religare Broking, said the recent decline has pushed the Nifty closer to its swing low around 24,600.

“A decisive break below this could extend the correction towards the 24,400 mark. On the upside, the 25,000 to 25,250 zone is likely to act as an immediate hurdle in case of any recovery,” he said. Mishra advised investors to maintain a cautious stance, keep position sizes light and focus on disciplined risk management given the current volatility.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

GM Business Growth Hub backs transformation at Oldham business

A plastics manufacturer is hoping to grow capacity by up to 60% after investing in robotics and advanced tooling with the backing of Greater Manchester business support bodies.

Heyside Group, of Oldham, makes PVC injection‑moulded products and processes some 300 tonnes of recycled plastic per week to create products for the traffic management, utilities and infrastructure sectors.

Its ongoing modernisation programme has seen it move away from manual manufacturing with bosses investing in robotics, advanced tooling, digital systems and automated processes. Managers say the move will help it to stay competitive while opening new market opportunities in the UK and beyond. They estimate the project could help grow capacity by 60% and could help the business unlock some £4.8m in additional revenue as it enters new markets.

The business has been supported by the GM Business Growth Hub, which helped bosses access Made Smarter expertise and digital internships, technical assurance from the Northern Engineering and Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC), materials‑innovation support from CEAMS and decarbonisation guidance from the Green Economy team.

The Growth Hub also connected Heyside to a £500,000 GMCA loan that has backed the firm’s investment in robotic paint‑spraying systems, new tooling and conveyor upgrades – and two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with Lancaster University and the University of Salford.

Matt Pryce, managing director at Heyside Group, said: “The Growth Hub’s support has been instrumental in helping us move from traditional manufacturing towards a modern, automated factory environment. From robotics to materials research, the guidance and connections we’ve received have accelerated our progress and strengthened our position for future growth.

“We are excited about the opportunities ahead as we continue to scale our capabilities.”

Cllr Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said: “Heyside Group’s transformation reflects the strength of Greater Manchester’s business support ecosystem. Their commitment to innovation and modernisation demonstrates how manufacturers can embrace advanced technologies to grow sustainably and competitively.

“The council is proud to play a role in supporting this progress and looks forward to seeing the next phase of their development.”

Janine Smith, director of GM Business Growth Hub, said: “Heyside is becoming a standout example of innovation-led manufacturing growth in Greater Manchester.

“By connecting the business to the right expertise at the right time – from digital adoption to robotics, research partnerships and funding – we’ve helped create a pathway to long-term competitiveness and new market opportunities. Their progress shows what’s possible when ambition is matched with coordinated support.”

Thailand’s “Save Maya, Save Pakarang” project promotes sustainable tourism and marine conservation in the Andaman Sea, featuring educational activities and restoration efforts at Maya Bay to protect natural resources.

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Key Points

• Thailand’s “Save Maya, Save Pakarang” project was launched by the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, in collaboration with the Andaman Natural Resources Conservation Foundation, to promote sustainable tourism and marine conservation in the Andaman Sea.
• The project’s opening ceremony, attended by notable officials, featured a conservation forum with discussions on natural resource preservation and educational activities aimed at raising awareness among locals and youth about marine conservation.
• Participants engaged in hands-on restoration efforts at Maya Bay, including planting coastal trees and installing mooring buoys to protect sensitive coral reefs, showcasing collaboration among government, private sector, educational institutions, and civil society for sustainable natural heritage in Krabi.

Thailand’s Public and Private Sectors Launch Project to Promote Sustainable Tourism and Marine Conservation

Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, together with the Andaman Natural Resources Conservation Foundation and network partners, launched the “Save Maya, Save Pakarang” project. The initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism and marine conservation in the Andaman Sea.

Krabi Governor Angkoon Silathewakul presided over the opening ceremony at the Hat Noppharat Thara activity grounds. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Samran Sinthong, representing the Senate’s Extraordinary Commission on the Protection and Consolidation of the Monarchy, and Protected Areas Regional Office 5 Director Surasak Anuson.

​The project included educational and environmental activities. These featured a conservation forum, where park directors and environmental experts led a panel discussion on natural resource preservation. Learning stations were also set up to raise awareness among local residents and youth about marine conservation.

The initiative is dedicated to fulfilling the Royal initiatives to conserve and restore Thailand’s marine resources. After the opening ceremony, participants traveled to the world-renowned Maya Bay to engage in hands-on restoration efforts, including planting coastal trees to rehabilitate the shoreline ecosystem and installing mooring buoys. These buoys serve to organize maritime tourism and prevent anchor damage to sensitive coral reefs.

This collaborative effort highlights the commitment of government agencies, the private sector, educational institutions, and civil society to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Krabi’s natural heritage.

Source : Thailand’s Public and Private Sectors Launch Project to Promote Sustainable Tourism and Marine Conservation

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