Three-day Banks strike from September 28 to 30 demanding a five-day banking week
What banking services will stop and what will continue?
KARIMNAGAR, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026: Bank employees belonging to all public sector banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks observed a nationwide ‘Black Sunday’ (September 27) to protest by wearing black clothing to express intense frustration over being forced to work on a weekend while their core demand for a permanent five-day working week remains unfulfilled.
Following the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU announcing the three-day bank strike from September 28 to 30, demanding implementation of five-day banking and withdrawal of the new PLI scheme. As a prelude to the three-day strike call, the bank employees also participated in a one-day strike on September 11, 2026.
However, the government took an unusual step to reduce the impact of the three-day strike by allowing the public sector and regional rural banks and cooperative banks to operate on Sunday. The move was aimed at helping customers complete urgent banking work before the three-day strike.
Irked over the adamant attitude of the Union government for failing to fulfil their legitimate demand for a five-day banking week on par with the central government employees, the bank employees attended to their duties by wearing black clothing on Sunday and discharged their duties without causing any inconvenience to the customers.
Surprisingly, the customers also visited various banks in large numbers for various banking transactions, including deposits and withdrawals.
What bank customers may not be able to do?
Services that require a physical branch or manual processing are likely to be affected during the strike. These include:
- Cash deposits and withdrawals at branches: Over-the-counter transactions at affected bank branches may not be available.
- Passbook updates: Physical passbook printing and other branch-based services could be delayed.
- Cheque processing: Cheque clearing and other transactions dependent on physical processing may face delays.
- Demand drafts: Issuance of fresh demand drafts may not be possible at affected branches.
- KYC and account-related work: Customers needing in-person document verification or account updates may have to wait until branches reopen.
- Loan-related processing: Applications, documentation, verification and other work requiring branch staff could be delayed.
- Locker services: Customers may not be able to access physical bank lockers while branches remain closed.
- Half-yearly closing work: Internal banking operations linked to the September 30 financial closing could also be affected.
What will continue.
The strike is primarily expected to affect physical branch operations. Several digital and self-service facilities should continue to operate.
- UPI payments: Routine UPI transactions are expected to remain available.
- Mobile and internet banking: Customers can continue using banking apps and online portals for fund transfers, bill payments and other digital services.
- ATMs: Cash withdrawal and other ATM services are expected to remain operational, although availability of cash could vary depending on location and replenishment.
- Cash deposit machines: Automated machines may continue to accept deposits where the facility is available.
- Private banks: Private-sector banks are expected to be less affected by the strike, although customers should check individual bank advisories before visiting a branch.
About the Author
