Mahavir Jayanti is being observed across India on Tuesday with religious observances marking the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, leading to public holidays in multiple states and affecting banking and financial market operations.
Public holidays have been declared in several states on the occasion, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Delhi. As a result, bank branches in these and other states remain closed in accordance with local regulations, with the exact applicability varying by region.
Banking Services Disrupted Across Multiple States
On March 31, 2026, both public and private sector banks remain closed in several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Due to the closure of bank branches, cash transactions, cheque clearance, and other offline banking services are unavailable.
Digital banking services, including internet banking, mobile banking, and ATM operations, continue to function normally.
Stock and Commodity Markets Closed
Trading activity on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India remains suspended for the day. All segments, including equity and equity derivatives, are closed, preventing investors from buying or selling shares.
The Multi Commodity Exchange of India is also closed for the entire day, halting trading in commodities such as gold, silver, crude oil, and other instruments.
Limited Trading Days This Week
Due to the Mahavir Jayanti holiday, trading activity in Indian financial markets is limited during the week, with only three trading days scheduled and four days designated as holidays. Markets are also scheduled to remain closed on April 3, requiring investors to adjust their trading schedules accordingly.
India is one of the world’s major emerging economies, and its financial markets are closely tracked by global investors. Market closures due to public holidays may affect trading plans, although such holidays are pre-announced, allowing investors to make prior adjustments to their portfolios and strategies.
