India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Public sector banks and regional rural banks are set to open on Sunday, September 27, as authorities prepare for the three-day nationwide bank strike scheduled from September 28 to 30.
The special working day has been planned as part of contingency arrangements to reduce disruption to customers ahead of the proposed nationwide strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The move comes just before the strike and follows September 26, which is the fourth Saturday and a regular bank holiday.
Public sector banks and regional rural banks will open on Sunday, September 27, as part of contingency plans before a three-day nationwide strike by the UFBU from September 28-30, 2026, over demands including a five-day work week. ATMs and digital services are expected to remain operational during the strike.
The three-day strike is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 28 and continue through Wednesday, September 30. Bank unions are pressing primarily for the implementation of a five-day working week, among other demands. The unions decided to proceed with the strike after a conciliation meeting on September 22 failed to produce sufficient progress on the issue.
Why Are Banks Opening On Sunday?
September 27 would ordinarily be a Sunday, when bank branches remain closed. However, with the proposed strike immediately following the weekend, authorities have made arrangements for banks to operate on the Sunday to provide customers with an additional opportunity to complete branch-based banking work.
Without the special opening, September 26 and 27 would be followed immediately by three strike days, potentially leaving customers with limited access to physical bank branches for five consecutive days.
Customers who need services requiring a visit to a branch, including certain cash transactions, documentation and other staff-assisted banking work, have therefore been advised to plan their transactions accordingly.
When Is The Bank Strike?
The UFBU has called a nationwide three-day strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026. The unions have maintained that the strike will go ahead unless there is concrete progress on their demand for a five-day banking week.
The government and bank managements have appealed to employees to reconsider the strike and continue negotiations. The Finance Ministry has also been working with public sector banks and regional rural banks on contingency arrangements to keep essential services running during the strike period.
Will ATMs And UPI Work During The Strike?
Customers will still be able to use several digital banking services during the strike period. UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATM services are expected to remain available for routine transactions, although customers should check individual bank advisories for any service-specific disruption.
State Bank of India and other public sector banks have advised customers to complete important branch-related transactions in advance and use digital channels, ATMs and other available banking facilities during the strike.
Services that require employees to be physically present at bank branches could, however, face delays or disruption if staff participate in the strike. Cash deposits or withdrawals at branches, cheque-related work and transactions requiring documentation or staff assistance may be particularly affected.
What Should Bank Customers Do?
Customers who have important branch-related work should make use of the special working day on September 27 or complete their transactions before the weekend. Those who only need routine payments or fund transfers can continue using UPI, internet banking and mobile banking.
The three-day strike comes during the end of the half-yearly banking period, making contingency arrangements particularly important for banks and customers. The government and bank managements are continuing efforts to minimise disruption, but the UFBU has so far maintained its decision to proceed with the September 28-30 strike.
