Nationwide Bank Strike from September 28-30: All Branch Operations Likely to Remain Suspended
A three-day nationwide bank strike has been called from September 28 to 30, 2026, by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), mainly over the demand for a five-day banking week. With the strike falling immediately after the fourth Saturday, the government has asked public sector banks and regional rural banks to remain open on Sunday, September 27.
The proposed strike could affect branch-based banking services if it goes ahead with substantial participation. Banks, however, are making arrangements to keep ATMs and digital banking services available.
The strike call remains in place following a conciliation meeting on September 22 involving the unions, Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), Department of Financial Services and bank managements. The unions have indicated that they may reconsider the strike if there is concrete progress on their demand for a five-day banking week.
UFBU says the five-day arrangement was agreed to as part of the March 2024 wage settlement but has not yet been implemented. Banks currently remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
Other demands reported as part of the dispute include pension-related changes, a uniform Dearness Allowance formula for pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System to switch to the Old Pension Scheme.
Banks to open on Sunday, September 27
September 26 is the fourth Saturday of the month, followed by Sunday on September 27. The three-day strike is scheduled to begin the next day.
However, public sector banks and regional rural banks will function on Sunday, September 27. The Reserve Bank of India has approved keeping bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests operational that day.
The arrangement means customers should not treat September 26-30 as five consecutive days of bank closure.
Which banking services could be affected?
If the strike goes ahead, branch-based services such as cheque clearing and transactions requiring bank staff could be affected.
Banks are making arrangements to continue digital and alternative banking services. Punjab National Bank has said it will endeavour to maintain ATM, mobile banking, internet banking, UPI and Business Correspondent services during the strike.
Private banks are expected to be less directly affected than public sector banks, though customers should not assume that every banking service will operate normally.
Several public sector banks, including State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of India and Indian Bank, have issued communications or appeals ahead of the strike.
PNB has advised customers to complete branch-dependent banking work on or before September 25. The Finance Ministry has also asked banks to make contingency arrangements and ensure adequate cash availability in ATMs during the strike period.
Central Government salaries and pensions to be paid early
The Centre has decided that September salaries, wages and pensions of Central Government employees and pensioners may be disbursed on Friday, September 25.
The decision also covers Defence, Posts & Telecommunications and industrial employees of the Central Government.
Early payments will be treated as advances and adjusted, where required, against October salary or wages.
Payments and banking transactions normally scheduled towards the end of September may also be processed in advance wherever feasible, as the proposed strike coincides with the end of the quarter and half-yearly closing period.
