Kumar Bahukhandi
A State Bank of India branch. Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will remain open and function normally on Sunday, September 27, ahead of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30, the Finance Ministry has announced. Photo: Representational
Government moves to prevent prolonged disruption as bank unions plan strike from September 28 to 30; RBI permits branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests to operate on September 27
Key Highlights
- All Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
- The decision comes ahead of the proposed nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30.
- The RBI has approved operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on Sunday.
- The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), with a five-day banking week among its principal demands.
- Banks have been taking measures to keep essential services and ATMs functioning during the proposed strike.
- September 30 is also the banking sector’s half-yearly closing, adding to concerns over possible disruption.
New Delhi: Bank customers will get an additional opportunity to complete branch transactions before a proposed three-day nationwide strike, with the government directing Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks to function normally on Sunday, September 27.
The unusual Sunday opening is intended to prevent customers from facing an extended interruption in banking services. The United Forum of Bank Unions has called a strike from September 28 to 30, immediately following the weekend of September 26 and 27.
The Ministry of Finance announced the decision on Wednesday, saying it had taken proactive measures to safeguard citizens’ banking requirements.
“In order to ensure that the genuine banking needs of the public are not adversely affected for an extended period, all Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, the 27th of September, 2026,” the ministry said.
RBI Clears Full Operations for Sunday
The Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for branches and offices as well as ATM-linked branches and currency chests to remain fully operational on September 27.
The government and bank managements have also appealed to the unions to defer the proposed strike and said measures are being taken to ensure continuity of essential banking services.
The clarification is particularly important for customers because the announcement applies specifically to Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks. The Finance Ministry’s official release does not say that every private-sector bank has been directed to open on Sunday.
Why Bank Unions Have Called the Strike
The proposed September 28-30 action centres on several demands raised by bank employees’ unions, including implementation of a five-day working week and pension-related issues.
The timing is significant because September 30 marks the half-yearly closing for banks, when financial institutions undertake important reconciliation, provisioning, treasury and related operations.
Several banks have already advised customers to complete important transactions in advance to avoid inconvenience if the strike proceeds. SBI, for instance, has issued an advisory asking customers to plan essential banking work ahead of the proposed industrial action.
Digital channels can provide alternatives for many routine transactions, while the government has also asked banks to take steps to maintain essential services and ensure adequate availability of cash in ATMs.
For customers who require branch-based services, however, Sunday, September 27, will effectively become an additional working day at Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks before the proposed three-day strike begins on Monday.
