Indian banks will open on Sunday, September 27, ahead of a proposed three-day bank strike. The Finance Ministry announced the move on September 23, covering Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks across India.
The United Forum of Bank Unions has called the bank strike from September 28 to 30. The unions seek a five-day banking week, along with pension-related improvements and other demands. The government will keep branches operational on Sunday to reduce disruption before the strike.
This decision follows weekend holidays on September 26 and 27, creating concerns over extended branch disruptions. The Reserve Bank of India has approved operations for branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.
The Finance Ministry said the step would protect the public from an extended interruption in essential banking services. The government and bank management have also asked unions to defer the proposed strike.
The UFBU claims to represent around 90% of the banking workforce and has placed five-day banking among its key demands. Other demands include improved pension benefits and a uniform dearness allowance formula for pensioners. Employees covered under the National Pension System also seek an option to move to the old pension scheme.
The timing adds significance as September 30 marks the banking sector's half-yearly closing. Banks conduct reconciliation, provisioning, treasury and market operations during this period. Any prolonged branch disruption could therefore affect several routine and institutional banking activities.
The government statement said, ‘all Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday’ to protect customer access. The RBI approval also extends to ATM-linked branches and currency chests operating that day.
Several public sector banks have advised customers to complete essential branch transactions before September 28. Banks have also highlighted mobile banking, internet banking, ATMs, Business Correspondent points and UPI as alternative channels. Customers requiring branch-based services can therefore use September 27 for pending banking work.
The proposed bank strike remains scheduled from September 28 to 30, while discussions continue around the unions' demands. The three-day action would also overlap with the half-yearly closing, adding pressure on banking operations during month-end activities.
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