Banking services through bank branches will remain affected for many days till next week, as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) announced a three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to September 30. Earlier, it was estimated that bank branches would remain shut for 5 days in a row as September 26 is the second Saturday–which is a bank holiday; however, the government directed banks to remain open on Sunday, September 27, to mitigate the impact on customers. 

What Is The Main Demand Of Bank Employees?

Bank unions are demanding that all Saturdays be declared holidays and that banks operate only from Monday to Friday. This is a long-standing demand of bank employees, which was also a key part of the wage agreement reached between the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and bank unions. Currently, bank branches across the nation observe holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, while the first, third, and fifth Saturdays are working days. 

Banks To Remain Open On Sunday

Bank branches across the country will remain open this Sunday, September 27, the Union government said on Wednesday, saying the move will safeguard the banking needs of citizens amid a nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).

 The bank unions have called for a strike from September 28 to 30, coinciding with the preceding weekend holidays of September 26 and 27--which could lead to a 5-day branch banking service disruption.   

Meanwhile, the Government and bank management have appealed to unions to defer the proposed strike, given the potential impact on public services and financial operations. 

Also Read: RBI New FD Rules From October 1: What Changes For Bulk Deposits And Investors?

Govt Announces Bank Open On Sunday

In order to ensure that the genuine banking needs of the public are not adversely affected for an extended period, all Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, September 27, 2026, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given approval for all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and Currency Chests to remain fully operational on Sunday, September 27.

However, Bank employees' unions have objected to Sunday being a working day. Federation leaders from NOBW, NOBO, AIGBWO, and AIGBOO, along with Girish Chandra Arya, in-charge of the financial sector at BMS, met the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services to discuss the issue.

Bank Strike: What Is Open And What Is Closed

  • Nationwide strike called by UFBU from September 28 to 30; banks mandated to open Sunday, September 27 to offset disruptions.

  • Implementation of a 5-day work week (Monday to Friday) with all Saturdays declared as holidays.

  • Branch-level transactions (cash deposits/withdrawals, passbook updates, draft issuances, cheque clearing, and loan processing).

  • Digital banking channels, ATMs, ADWMs, and Customer Service Points (CSPs) remain operational.

SBI Announces Free ATM Withdrawal During Strike

Meanwhile, SBI, India's largest public sector bank, stated that ATM transaction fees will not be charged on transactions made at any bank's ATMs across the country during the strike. This means customers can meet their cash needs without worrying about the fees that typically apply after the monthly free limit is exhausted.