The Schedule of Bank Strike 2026 has turned out to be one of the issues of grave concern for the customers since the union of banks has called for a countrywide strike from September 28 to September 30. While September 26 is the fourth Saturday and September 27 is a normal Sunday holiday, the customers can potentially have five days without sufficient branch services.
Will Banks Open on Sunday, September 27, 2026?
Yes—Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks have been asked to remain open on Sunday, September 27, before the strike. The RBI has also given clearance for the functioning of the bank branches, offices, ATM linked branches, and currency chests on that particular day.
But there is a catch. While the All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) has instructed its members not to attend their duty stating September 27 as a holiday, there has been ambiguity as to how the Sunday functioning would take place. Meanwhile, the SBI has declared Sunday functioning for the branches of SBI.
Why Is the Bank Strike Happening?
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has cited among other issues that of the long-delayed demand for a five-day banking week in its call for the three-day strike. Other issues pertain to changes to the Performance Linked Incentive scheme and pending service-related issues. Unions claim that the five-day banking week has been agreed upon already in the March 2024 wage settlement but remains to be implemented.
Customers will face the following practical issue: branch-based services like cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque work and account services will likely be impacted by the strike. ATMs, UPI, mobile banking and internet banking services will continue to work.
The government and the bank management are calling on the unions to call off the strike. Should no resolution be found, unions have also threatened an indefinite strike beginning October 26.
For customers requiring urgent branch work, September 27 will be the only date safe for you – but always check with your bank’s branch about this matter before setting out on any journey.
DemocraX will update this story if the strike dates and Sunday working schedules change.
