Public Sector Banks Open Today Ahead of Three-Day Strike

Public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks across India are open and operating normally today, Sunday, September 27, in an unusual move ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike beginning Monday.

The government decided to keep these banks operational to give customers an additional opportunity to complete important transactions before the proposed strike from September 28 to September 30.

The Reserve Bank of India has approved the opening of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.

BANKING SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
September 27: Public Sector Banks and RRBs open
September 28–30: Proposed nationwide bank strike
Three days: Duration of proposed UFBU strike
September 30: Strike period overlaps with half-yearly closing

The decision follows the strike call issued by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).

The proposed industrial action comes immediately after the weekend and also overlaps with the banking sector's half-yearly closing on September 30, increasing concerns about potential disruption to branch-based services and back-office banking operations.

The government and bank managements have appealed to unions to defer the proposed strike and resolve outstanding issues through dialogue.

The unions are primarily demanding the implementation of a five-day banking week. Other demands raised include pension-related changes and other employee service issues.

The government has said the demand for a five-day banking week remains under examination.

WHY SUNDAY OPENING MATTERS
Keeping PSBs and RRBs open on September 27 gives customers an additional working day before three consecutive proposed strike days and reduces the risk of an extended interruption to branch-based banking services.

Several banks have also issued advisories asking customers to complete essential transactions before the strike.

State Bank of India has said it will make efforts to provide essential services during the proposed strike period, but some branch and office operations could still be affected.

Customers have been encouraged to use ATMs, mobile banking, internet banking and UPI for routine transactions wherever possible during the strike period.

Bank of India has similarly advised customers to use its digital banking channels, including mobile banking, ATMs, internet banking, business correspondent points and UPI.

The Sunday opening primarily concerns public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks. Customers should not assume that every private-sector bank branch is open today.

New-generation private-sector banks are not participating in the proposed UFBU strike and are expected to continue their normal banking operations during the strike period, although their Sunday branch schedules may differ.

If the proposed strike proceeds, branch-based services at participating banks could face disruption between September 28 and September 30, while digital services are expected to remain available subject to normal operational conditions.

Customers with urgent work requiring a physical branch visit have therefore been advised to use the additional Sunday working day where applicable.