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Bank Strike September 28-30: Banks to Remain Open on Sunday, Sept 27; Check RBI, Finance Ministry Update

Posted on 23rd Sep 2026 03:35 pm by rohit kumar

In a major development ahead of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike, the Finance Ministry has announced that Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) will remain operational on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

 

The decision has been taken to reduce the impact on customers as the proposed bank strike is scheduled for September 28 to September 30, immediately after the weekend of September 26 and 27. The Finance Ministry said the move is aimed at ensuring that the banking needs of the public are not affected for an extended period.

 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.

 

Banks to Remain Open on Sunday, September 27

 

According to the Finance Ministry's latest announcement, all PSBs and RRBs will function normally on Sunday, September 27.

 

The special arrangement covers:

 

Bank branches

Bank offices

ATM-linked branches

Currency chests

 

The RBI has granted approval for these operations on the Sunday ahead of the proposed strike.

 

The decision is significant because September 26 is the fourth Saturday, followed by Sunday, September 27. Without the special Sunday opening, customers could have faced a prolonged interruption in normal branch banking services before the proposed three-day strike.

 

Why Are Banks Being Opened on Sunday?

 

The Finance Ministry said the decision is intended to safeguard the genuine banking needs of citizens and avoid an extended disruption.

 

The proposed strike runs from September 28 to 30, while September 30 is also the half-yearly closing date for banks. The government has highlighted the importance of the date for reconciliation, provisioning, treasury and market-related operations.

 

The ministry has therefore taken steps to reduce the potential impact of the weekend immediately preceding the strike.

 

It has also appealed to bank unions to defer the proposed strike and resolve outstanding issues through dialogue.

 

Why Are Bank Employees Going on Strike?

 

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has announced the proposed three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30.

 

According to reports, the unions have decided to proceed with the strike after a conciliation meeting with the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner failed to resolve the outstanding issues. The UFBU has said it represents around 90% of the banking workforce.

 

The principal demand currently driving the proposed strike is the implementation of a five-day banking week.

 

The government has said that the five-day banking proposal remains under consideration, while the unions have indicated that they want concrete progress before reconsidering the strike.

 

Key Demands of Bank Unions

 

Apart from the five-day banking week, the unions have raised several demands concerning employees and pensioners.

 

1. Five-Day Banking Week

 

The implementation of a five-day working week in the banking sector is the principal demand behind the proposed September 28-30 strike.

 

2. Pension Updation

 

Bank unions have also demanded the updation and improvement of pension benefits for eligible pensioners.

 

3. Uniform Dearness Allowance Formula

 

Another demand concerns a uniform Dearness Allowance (DA) formula for pensioners.

 

4. NPS to OPS Option

 

The unions have sought an option for employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) to switch to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

 

What Has the Government Said?

 

The Finance Ministry has urged bank employees to avoid the proposed strike and resolve the remaining issues through negotiations.

 

In its September 21 statement, the government said it had already kept the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in abeyance, describing this as fulfilment of one of the two principal demands raised by the unions. It said the remaining five-day workweek demand continues to be examined.

 

The ministry also highlighted several measures taken for bank employees, including salary and allowance revisions, an enhanced Staff Welfare Fund, additional executive positions, recruitment and changes relating to pensioners.

 

Will Banks Be Closed for Five Days?

 

The proposed strike itself is for three days — September 28, 29 and 30.

 

However, the timing of the strike had raised concerns about an effective five-day disruption because September 26 is the fourth Saturday and September 27 is Sunday. The government's decision to open PSBs and RRBs on September 27 is intended to reduce that extended disruption.

 

Customers should also note that digital banking channels may continue to be available, although the availability of specific services can vary by bank and transaction type.

 

Several public sector banks, including SBI, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank, have advised customers to complete important branch transactions in advance and use digital and self-service channels during the proposed strike period.

 

What Should Bank Customers Do?

Customers who need branch-based services should consider completing important transactions before September 28.

 

Banks have advised customers to make use of available alternatives such as:

 

Internet banking

Mobile banking

UPI

ATMs

Cash-recycler machines

Business Correspondent outlets

Other self-service banking channels

 

The Finance Ministry has also asked PSBs to ensure adequate cash availability through ATMs and Business Correspondent outlets and to minimise disruption to essential banking services during the proposed strike period.

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