The United Forum of Bank Unions and certain other unions have called a three-day strike from September 28 to 30, 2026. A five-day banking week is central to the dispute.
The dates follow the September 26-27 weekend and extend through the half-year closing on September 30. The Finance Ministry has announced Sunday operations for public sector banks and regional rural banks, while the Controller General of Accounts has ordered advance September salary, wage and pension disbursement for central government employees and pensioners.
Which banks are due to open on Sunday?
Public sector banks and regional rural banks are due to operate normally on Sunday, September 27. A Finance Ministry announcement says the Reserve Bank of India approved operations for their branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on that day.
This does not mean every bank in India has the same Sunday schedule. Customers of private banks or other institutions should check their bank’s dated notice, official website, app or customer-service channel before travelling to a branch.
What changed for central government salary and pension payments?
The Controller General of Accounts directed central government offices to draw and disburse September salary, wages and pensions on Friday, September 25. The instruction includes central government employees and pensioners in Defence, Posts and Telecommunications.
The circular treats these payments as advances. Any necessary adjustment must be made from October salary or wages after the full September amount is determined. It also asks departments to process end-of-September payments and banking transactions early where feasible.
The order authorises early disbursement, but it does not confirm that every individual account was credited successfully. Employees and pensioners should check their own account or payment advice.
What banking services could be affected?
The official material reviewed does not provide a bank-by-bank participation list or a service-by-service forecast for September 28 to 30. The Finance Ministry warns that the strike could disrupt banking operations, but customers should not assume that every bank or service will follow one pattern.
The sources do not guarantee normal availability of UPI, internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, cheque clearing or cash at every bank and location during the strike window. Anyone with a time-sensitive branch visit, cheque, cash requirement or end-of-month payment should check a dated notice from their own bank rather than rely on forwarded messages or broad social-media claims.
Why are bank unions calling the strike?
The Finance Ministry describes the five-day banking week as the remaining demand and says a performance-linked incentive proposal has been kept in abeyance. A bank-union federation announcement lists a five-day work week, a mutually agreed performance-linked incentive structure and negotiated settlement of residual issues among its demands.
These are the government and union positions. The sources reviewed do not settle the underlying labour dispute.
What should customers do now?
Customers of public sector and regional rural banks should confirm whether their branch will open on Sunday, September 27, and complete urgent branch work before the proposed strike window where practical. Customers of other banks should check their institution’s own schedule.
Central government employees and pensioners should verify any advance credit in their own account. For branch visits, cheques, cash or time-sensitive transfers, use dated notices from the bank itself.
Because the strike is still proposed, plans may change. Check official updates from your bank, the Finance Ministry or the Reserve Bank of India before making travel or payment decisions.
