Bank Strike September 28-30: What Will Work and How Customers Can Prepare

Bank customers in India should prepare for possible disruption to branch-based services during the proposed nationwide strike from Monday, September 28, through Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The action has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions as part of its campaign for a five-day working week in the banking industry.

The strike is expected to have its greatest impact on public sector banks and regional rural banks. Banks have warned that the availability of staff at individual branches could affect counter services, although the action does not mean that every banking channel will stop working.

Why bank employees have called the strike

Bank unions have been seeking a five-day working week, under which branches would remain closed on every Saturday instead of only the second and fourth Saturdays. The government said another earlier issue concerning a performance-linked incentive scheme had been kept in abeyance, leaving the five-day-week demand as the principal unresolved matter.

Talks involving the unions, banking authorities and the government did not produce an agreement before the strike dates. As of September 26, the three-day action remained proposed for September 28, 29 and 30. Customers should still monitor official messages from their own bank because strikes can be deferred or withdrawn following late negotiations.

Which branch services could be affected?

Services requiring employees or an in-person branch visit are the most likely to face delays. These may include cash deposits and withdrawals at counters, cheque-related work, demand drafts, account opening, passbook updates, document submission, locker access, loan processing and some customer-service requests.

Cheque clearing and other processes involving more than one institution could also take longer, even when a customer’s own bank is operating. Businesses with time-sensitive settlements should avoid waiting until the strike period to deposit cheques or submit physical instructions.

UPI, online transfers and ATMs may continue

Automated and digital banking systems are expected to remain accessible. Customers should generally be able to use UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and supported banking apps for routine payments, balance checks and account management.

Electronic fund-transfer services including NEFT, RTGS and IMPS are also expected to operate through online channels. However, an individual transaction could still be delayed by technical problems, security checks, account limits or operational issues at the sending or receiving institution.

ATMs and automated deposit and withdrawal machines are expected to remain available. Cash availability may vary by location if machines cannot be replenished promptly, so customers should avoid relying on a single ATM for urgent requirements. Customer Service Points may also provide selected services where available.

Cooperative banks are not joining the strike

Industry bodies representing urban cooperative banks, state cooperative banks and cooperative credit institutions have clarified that their members have not proposed to participate in the September 28-30 strike. Cooperative banks are therefore expected to continue normal operations.

The clarification is important because the strike should not be interpreted as a shutdown of every bank in India. Private-sector banks are also generally expected to remain operational, although customers should confirm local branch hours and remember that interbank services may still experience delays.

What SBI’s ATM charge waiver means

State Bank of India has announced a temporary waiver of ATM transaction charges for its customers during the three strike days. The relief applies to transactions made through SBI machines as well as ATMs operated by other banks across India during the announced period.

The waiver is intended to help customers access cash without worrying about charges that could otherwise apply after their monthly free transaction allowance is exhausted. It does not guarantee that every ATM will have cash or remain technically available, so customers should plan ahead where possible.

Banks will open on Sunday, September 27

September 26 is the fourth Saturday of the month and normally a bank holiday. To prevent an extended interruption, public sector banks and regional rural banks have been authorised to function normally on Sunday, September 27. Branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests are expected to operate that day.

Customers needing a physical branch service should use September 27 where practical, but should verify the opening hours of their specific branch before travelling.

Steps customers should take now

• Complete urgent branch visits, cheque deposits, document submissions and large cash transactions before September 28.
• Confirm that mobile banking, internet banking and UPI apps are active and updated.
• Check transfer limits and ensure sufficient funds are available in the linked account.
• Keep a modest amount of cash for essential expenses without making unnecessary withdrawals.
• Avoid scheduling time-sensitive cheque payments or branch-dependent transactions during the strike window.
• Use only official bank apps, websites, helplines and alerts for updates.
• Never share an OTP, card PIN, UPI PIN or password with anyone claiming to provide strike-related assistance.

Routine digital banking should continue for most customers, but advance planning can reduce the risk of delays. Anyone with an urgent or high-value transaction should complete it before the strike begins rather than depending on normal branch staffing from September 28 to 30.