Bank Strike Sept 28-30: Branches to Open on Sunday, Sept 27

Public sector banks and regional rural banks will open on Sunday, September 27, 2026, ahead of a three-day strike by bank unions from September 28 to 30. The move cuts a possible five-day branch shutdown to three days.

Five Days Became Three: The Calendar Explained

The strike dates created a problem for bank customers because of how the week falls. Saturday, September 26, is the fourth Saturday of the month, when public sector bank branches are normally closed. Sunday, September 27, is a regular holiday. The strike then runs from Monday, September 28, to Wednesday, September 30.

Without intervention, customers would have faced five consecutive days without branch banking. To avoid that, the Finance Ministry said all public sector banks (PSBs) and regional rural banks (RRBs) will function normally on Sunday, September 27. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the opening of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on that day.

Why Bank Unions Are Striking

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called the strike mainly to press for a five-day banking week. The UFBU is an umbrella body that claims to represent about 90% of bank employees and officers. Under its demand, all Saturdays would become bank holidays. At present, banks remain closed only on the second and fourth Saturdays.

Unions have raised the five-day week demand for years, and the proposal is awaiting a decision from the government. Unions had also opposed the performance-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. The government has kept the PLI scheme in abeyance, leaving the five-day week as the main unresolved demand.

This is the second strike this month. Bank employees held a one-day strike on September 11. A conciliation meeting held on September 22 failed to break the deadlock, and the UFBU decided to go ahead with the three-day action.

Services That Will Work During the Strike

Banks have asked customers to complete branch-dependent work in advance and to use digital channels during the strike period. State Bank of India (SBI) has advised customers to rely on internet banking, mobile banking, YONO and UPI for routine transactions.

The following services are expected to remain available, subject to operational conditions:

1. UPI payments and transfers
2. Internet banking and mobile banking apps
3. ATMs and automated deposit and withdrawal machines
4. Customer service points

Services that depend on branch staff are the most likely to be affected. These include:

1. Cheque-related processing
2. Transactions that need physical documents or signatures
3. Any work that requires a visit to the branch counter

Salaries and Pensions Moved Ahead

The strike comes at the end of the month, when salary and pension credits usually fall due. To avoid delays, the Department of Expenditure has said salaries and pensions of central government employees due at month-end will be processed on September 25.

Private sector employers and state governments set their own payroll schedules. Employees outside the central government may want to check with their employer whether any salary timelines have been adjusted around the strike dates.

Why the September 30 Date Matters

The timing adds pressure on both sides. September 30 marks the half-yearly closing for banks, when accounts are finalised for the April to September period. The Finance Ministry has warned that disruption around the closing date could affect customers, businesses, government transactions and international banking operations.

The government and bank managements have appealed to unions to defer the strike and continue talks. According to the UFBU, at the September 22 meeting the Department of Financial Services said the five-day banking proposal was under consideration. The department also said the views of other stakeholders would need to be taken into account.

Also Read: Traders Plan 'No UPI Day' on Oct 2 to Protest 0.4% MDR

Indefinite Strike Threat From October 26

The dispute may not end with this strike. The UFBU has announced an indefinite strike from October 26, 2026, if its demands remain unresolved.

For customers, the practical steps are clear. Branch visits for cheque deposits, document submissions or cash-heavy transactions are best completed before the strike begins. Sunday, September 27, is available as an extra working day at public sector banks and regional rural banks. For routine payments and transfers from September 28 to 30, digital channels are expected to remain the most reliable option.