India’s banks will operate on Sunday, September 27, ahead of a proposed nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, while the Finance Ministry has ordered advance salary and pension payments for central government employees to limit disruption to customers and public offices.
The United Forum of Bank Unions, which says it represents around 90% of the banking workforce, has called the three-day strike over demands including a five-day banking week, improvements to pension benefits, a common dearness allowance formula for pensioners and an option for National Pension System employees to move to the old pension scheme.
A Finance Ministry office memorandum issued through the Controller General of Accounts said September salaries, wages and pensions for central government employees could be drawn and disbursed on Friday, September 25. The provision covers Central Government offices, including Defence, Posts and Telecommunications. September wages for industrial employees of the central government may also be released on that date.
The memorandum said September pensions for central government pensioners may be paid by banks or Pay and Accounts Offices on September 25. The payments will be treated as advances and adjusted after the full month’s salary, wage or pension is determined. Any adjustment will be made from October 2026 salary, wages or pension.
The government has also asked ministries and departments to complete payments and other banking transactions due near the end of September ahead of schedule wherever possible. The proposed strike overlaps with the banking sector’s half-yearly closing on September 30, a period associated with reconciliation, provisioning, treasury operations and market-related activities.
To maintain access to banking services, the Finance Ministry has directed all banks, including Regional Rural Banks, to function normally on Sunday, September 27. The government said the measure was necessary because the proposed strike follows the weekend holidays on September 26 and 27, creating a potential five-day interruption for some customers.
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the continued operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27, according to the Finance Ministry statement. The ministry said the arrangement was intended to ensure that genuine banking needs were not adversely affected for an extended period.
Several public sector banks have advised customers to complete important transactions before the proposed strike dates. Customers have also been encouraged to use mobile banking, internet banking, ATMs, Business Correspondent Points and the Unified Payments Interface if the strike proceeds.
The government and bank managements have urged the unions to postpone the proposed strike. At the same time, the Finance Ministry said advance administrative and operational measures had been taken to keep essential banking services available. The proposed strike dates remain September 28 to 30, 2026.
