To prevent major disruptions from an impending three-day nationwide strike called by bank employees, the central government has stepped in to safeguard public convenience. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, all public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks will remain fully functional on Sunday, September 27. Operations across these branches will proceed just like any ordinary business day to guarantee uninterrupted access to essential financial services.
Averting a Looming Five-Day Banking Standstill
The umbrella body of bank employee unions, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), has called for a three-day nationwide strike running from September 28 to September 30, 2026. This scheduled agitation directly follows the scheduled weekend holidays on September 26 and September 27, which represent the fourth Saturday and Sunday of the month. Had standard schedules remained unchanged, banking operations would have faced a continuous shutdown lasting five consecutive days, severely disrupting retail transactions, trade flows, and basic consumer needs. The decision to mandate branch operations on Sunday provides a crucial buffer before the strike begins.
Reserve Bank Approves Branch Operations and Currency Chests
To support full operational capacity on the holiday, the Reserve Bank of India granted approval to keep all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branch units, and currency chests active on September 27. The full functioning of currency chests and ATM networks ensures that cash liquidity, cash deposits, and daily retail banking operations remain completely accessible to the public despite the irregular working schedule.
Government Prioritises Consumer Convenience
The Ministry of Finance reiterated that safeguarding the well-being and convenience of bank customers remains its foremost priority. Ministry officials stated that the government and banking managements have actively appealed to union representatives to defer the proposed industrial action. Administrative steps have concurrently been put in place to maintain continuity across essential financial infrastructure during this period.
Advisories Issued by Major Public Lenders
Anticipating operational delays due to the UFBU strike call, major commercial banks including the State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank had already issued notifications to their account holders. The State Bank of India advised customers to schedule and complete critical in-branch matters in advance of the strike window. The subsequent decision to open branches on Sunday now grants customers an immediate window to handle cheque clearances, drafts, and physical cash deposits before the union action commences.
