Bank strike from September 28-30 may affect branch services across India. Here is why unions are striking, what the government says and what customers should do
New Delhi: Bank customers across India may face disruption in branch services from September 28 to September 30, 2026, as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has decided to go ahead with a three-day nationwide strike.
The unions are mainly demanding the implementation of a five-day banking week. They have also raised other employee-related issues, including pension-related demands.
The latest development came after a conciliation meeting on September 22 failed to resolve the main dispute. The government and bank managements have asked the unions to defer the strike, but the UFBU has maintained its September 28-30 call.
For customers, the biggest concern is branch banking. However, digital services such as UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs are expected to remain important alternatives.
Bank Strike 2026: What are the strike dates?
The UFBU has called the nationwide strike for:
- Monday, September 28
- Tuesday, September 29
- Wednesday, September 30
The timing is important because September 26 is the fourth Saturday, followed by Sunday, September 27.
This means customers could have limited access to physical bank branches around the end of September. However, the government has now taken a step to reduce the impact.
Will banks open on Sunday, September 27?
Yes. The government has announced that public sector banks and regional rural banks will operate normally on Sunday, September 27.
The Finance Ministry said the decision aims to ensure that customers get an additional banking day before the proposed three-day strike. The ministry also said the Reserve Bank of India has approved the opening of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.
So, customers who need branch-based services should consider using September 27 instead of waiting for the strike period.
However, customers should check their individual bank’s advisory before visiting a branch, especially because operating arrangements can vary.
Why are bank employees going on strike?
The main issue behind the latest strike is the demand for a five-day banking week.
Under this arrangement, banks would operate from Monday to Friday, while all Saturdays would become holidays.
The UFBU has argued that the five-day banking demand was part of the wage settlement reached in March 2024 and should now be implemented. The government and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), however, have said the issue remains under consideration and that different stakeholders need to be consulted.
The unions had also raised concerns about the Performance-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and pension-related matters.
What is the five-day banking demand?
At present, bank branches normally remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. Banks generally operate on the first and third Saturdays.
The five-day banking proposal would make every Saturday a holiday.
For customers, this would mean fewer physical branch working days. However, digital banking would continue to play an important role for routine transactions.
The proposal has been under discussion for some time. The current dispute is about when and how the five-day system should be implemented.
What is the PLI issue?
PLI stands for Performance-Linked Incentive.
It is a payment linked to certain performance-related targets. Bank unions had raised concerns about the scheme along with their demand for a five-day banking week.
The government has kept the PLI scheme in abeyance for FY 2025-26. As a result, the five-day banking week has remained the key unresolved issue behind the current strike call.
Why did the talks fail?
The government and bank unions held a conciliation meeting on September 22 in an effort to avoid the strike.
Representatives from the UFBU, Department of Financial Services, Indian Banks’ Association and bank managements attended the meeting.
The government and the IBA said the five-day banking issue was still under consideration and appealed to the unions to defer the strike.
However, the UFBU said there was no satisfactory progress on its main demand. It therefore asked its member unions and employees to proceed with the three-day strike from September 28.
Why is September 30 important for banks?
September 30 is not an ordinary banking day.
It marks the half-yearly closing of banks. Banks use this period for important financial and administrative work, including reconciliation, provisioning, treasury operations and other closing-related activities.
Therefore, the proposed strike comes at a particularly important time for banks and businesses.
Businesses and customers with time-sensitive banking work should therefore avoid waiting until September 30.
Which bank services could be affected?
The strike is most likely to affect services that require employees or a physical branch visit.
Customers could face delays in:
- Cash deposits at branches
- Cash withdrawals at branches
- Cheque-related work
- Account-related documentation
- Certain loan-related services
- Account closure or other staff-assisted services
- Some clearing and settlement-related work
However, this does not mean that every banking service will stop.
Banks have advised customers to use digital and self-service channels wherever possible. SBI and Canara Bank, for example, have advised customers to use ATMs, internet banking, mobile banking and other alternative channels if branch services are affected.
Will UPI and mobile banking work during the strike?
Customers should still be able to use UPI, mobile banking and internet banking for routine transactions, subject to the normal availability of their bank’s systems.
For example, customers can use digital channels for:
- UPI payments
- Fund transfers
- Balance checks
- Bill payments
- Online shopping payments
- Mobile recharges
- Other online banking services
However, digital channels cannot replace every branch service.
If your transaction requires physical documents, verification or direct assistance from bank staff, complete it before the strike whenever possible.
Will ATMs remain available?
ATMs are expected to remain an important option during the strike.
The Finance Ministry has asked banks to make adequate preparations, including ensuring sufficient cash availability in ATMs and at business correspondent outlets.
Banks such as SBI have also advised customers to use ATMs and ADWMs for cash requirements during the strike period.
Still, customers should avoid waiting until the last minute if they know they will need physical cash.
Will private banks also be closed?
The strike is being led by bank employee unions and is expected to have a stronger impact on banks where participating employees join the action.
Public sector banks and regional rural banks are particularly relevant to the government preparations announced for September 27.
Private bank customers should therefore check their own bank’s advisory instead of assuming that every private bank branch will follow the same schedule.
The Department of Financial Services currently lists 12 public sector banks, including SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India and Bank of India.
What should customers do before September 28?
Customers who have important branch-related work should finish it before the strike begins.
Here is a simple checklist:
- Complete urgent branch work
If you need to submit documents, update an account, complete KYC-related work or handle another staff-assisted service, do it before September 28.
- Use September 27 if needed
Public sector banks and regional rural banks will open on Sunday, September 27.
This gives customers an additional opportunity to complete urgent banking work before the strike.
- Keep some cash ready
If you regularly need cash, plan your withdrawal in advance.
There is no need to withdraw excessive amounts. However, keeping enough cash for essential expenses can help if you face an ATM or branch issue.
- Complete cheque-related work early
If you need to deposit or process an important cheque, avoid waiting until the strike period.
- Check your account balance
Make sure your account has enough money for scheduled payments, EMIs, SIPs, bills and other automatic deductions.
- Keep digital banking ready
Check whether your mobile banking and internet banking are working. Also make sure your registered mobile number and UPI access are active.
- Check your bank’s advisory
Banks may issue their own customer notices. Check your bank’s website, mobile app or official communication before visiting a branch.
Could the strike continue into October?
The unions have also announced plans for an indefinite nationwide strike from October 26, 2026, if the five-day banking issue remains unresolved after the September action.
That does not mean an October strike is certain to continue as planned. Further discussions or an agreement could change the situation.
For now, the immediate action announced by the UFBU remains the three-day strike from September 28 to September 30.
Bank Strike September 28-30: What customers should remember
The upcoming strike does not mean that all banking facilities will completely stop.
The main concern is branch-based banking and services that require employees. Digital channels such as UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATMs should remain important alternatives, although individual services can face technical or operational issues.
The government has also opened public sector banks and regional rural banks on Sunday, September 27, giving customers an extra day to complete urgent work.
Therefore, customers who have important branch-dependent transactions should plan ahead instead of waiting for September 28-30.
