Banks to open on Sunday ahead of 3-day nationwide strike: What customers should know

The government said it has taken the proactive steps to safeguard the banking needs of citizens. (AI image)

NEW DELHI: Banks will remain open on Sunday, September 27, to ensure customers have access to essential banking services ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide strike, the government said on Wednesday.The move comes after the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) called for a nationwide strike from September 28 to 30. With September 26 and 27 falling on a weekend, the strike could otherwise lead to an extended disruption in banking services, the govt said.“In view of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) from September 28 to 30, 2026, coinciding with the preceding weekend holidays of September 26 and 27, the government has taken proactive steps to safeguard the banking needs of citizens,” the finance ministry said in a statement.“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.“The Department reiterates that the welfare and convenience of bank customers remains the Government's foremost priority. The Government and bank managements have appealed to unions to defer the proposed strike, and have also taken measures to ensure that essential banking services continue un-interrupted,” it added.

The Reserve Bank of India has also approved the operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.“Permission to operate Bank Branches and Currency Chests on Sunday, September 27, 2026. As requested in the above letter, with a view to ensuring that the genuine banking needs of the public are not adversely affected for an extended period, you have our approval for keeping the branches, offices, ATM link branches and Currency Chests of banks fully operational on Sunday, September 27, 2026," the apex bank said.“The banks may be advised to ensure adherence to relevant legal requirements in this regard. A list of Currency Chests of private sector/foreign banks has been sent to you separately,” it added.Also read: Nationwide strike - Banks to remain shut from Monday for three days

Why are bank unions planning a strike?

The UFBU has said bank operations could be disrupted across the country during the three-day strike from September 28 to 30. Since the strike follows the weekend holidays, customers could potentially face an effective five-day disruption in banking services.The timing is also significant as September 30 marks the half-yearly closing of banks, when reconciliation, provisioning, and treasury and market operations are carried out.The UFBU, which claims to represent around 90% of the banking workforce, has said it will proceed with the strike unless there is concrete progress on its key demand for five-day banking.“Responding to the appeal made by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Indian Banks' Association (IBA), Bank managements to defer the strike, we informed them that if there is any concrete and positive development towards implementation of our demand for introduction of 5 days banking, UFBU will consider the same,” the UFBU said in a statement following a meeting with the deputy chief labour commissioner.UFBU's other demands include an update and improvement of pension, a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) to move to the old pension scheme (OPS). Bank unions under the UFBU had also gone on a nationwide strike on September 11 over their demands.The statement came after a conciliation meeting on Tuesday ended without a resolution. In the absence of such progress, the union said it would be “constrained” to go ahead with the proposed strike on September 28, 29 and 30.