Bank strike 2026 preparations have created uncertainty over whether public-sector and regional rural bank branches will open on Sunday, September 27, before a proposed three-day nationwide strike begins on September 28. The government and Reserve Bank of India have approved Sunday operations to reduce disruption, but the All India Bank Officers Association has advised its members not to report for duty.
The proposed strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions and seven other unions is scheduled from September 28 to September 30. It follows a one-day strike held on September 11 and is centred primarily on the demand for a five-day banking week. The unions have also raised demands related to pension revision, dearness allowance and changes to pension schemes for some employees.
The decision to keep branches open on September 27 was taken after a September 21 meeting involving the Union finance minister, public-sector banks, regional rural banks, the Indian Banks’ Association and chief executives of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, according to the report. The stated objective is to prevent an extended interruption in banking services after the weekend.
The RBI has also permitted the opening of bank branches, offices linked to ATMs and currency chests on Sunday. The arrangement is intended to ensure that customers can access regular banking services before the proposed strike begins. If Sunday operations do not take place and the three-day strike goes ahead, customers could face a prolonged period without normal branch access because September 26 and 27 fall around the weekend.
However, the Sunday plan has not removed the operational uncertainty. The All India Bank Officers Association has reportedly advised its members not to attend work, arguing that September 27 is a holiday under the Industrial Disputes Act. This creates a gap between the administrative direction to open branches and the availability of staff to operate them.
For customers, Sunday branch services may therefore depend on whether employees report for duty at individual locations. The report says digital banking, automated teller machines and other electronic services are expected to remain available, although customers requiring branch-based work may face difficulties. Those with pending transactions or documentation needs have been advised to complete them in advance where possible.
The proposed strike is expected to affect banking operations from September 28 to September 30 if the unions proceed as announced. The immediate issue for customers is whether Sunday branches will function as planned, while the wider dispute remains focused on working-week arrangements, pension-related changes and employee benefits.
