Bank Strike: Banks to remain closed for 5 consecutive days from September 26–30; complete your tasks by September 25; check the full schedule.

The bank strike is scheduled for September 28–30, affecting banking services for five days. Customers are advised to complete essential tasks by September 25. Find out what will remain operational.

Bank Strike: Bank customers across the country may face inconvenience at the end of September. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for a three-day bank strike from September 28 to 30. The union announced the strike after a tripartite meeting between the Central Labour Commissioner, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), and the UFBU on Wednesday evening failed to yield a resolution.

Full Schedule of Bank Closures and Strike

Banking operations may be affected for five consecutive days starting September 26.

The strike is preceded by the fourth Saturday (September 26) and Sunday (September 27). Consequently, branch-based banking services are likely to be disrupted for five consecutive days from September 26 to 30. While September 26 and 27 are regular holidays, branch operations may be impacted by the strike from September 28 to 30.

Customers should complete essential tasks by September 25.

Given the likelihood of disruptions to branch-based services over these five days, customers are advised to complete their essential banking tasks in advance. It would be prudent to finish tasks such as cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque processing, document submission, and other branch-related activities by September 25.

Transactions to continue via digital banking.

Even if branches remain closed during the strike, customers can utilize digital banking services. Transactions can be carried out using electronic payment services such as IMPS, NEFT, UPI, and RTGS. In rural areas, customers may also attempt to carry out essential banking tasks through digital service centers.

Banking services likely to be most affected

Several branch-based services are expected to be impacted during the strike. These include face-to-face services such as cash deposits and withdrawals at bank counters, cheque clearing, verification and processing of loan documents, locker operations, and document submission.

Efforts to keep ATM and online banking services operational

Banks will make efforts to keep ATM, mobile banking, internet banking, UPI, and business correspondent services operational. The Finance Ministry has also directed banks to ensure adequate cash availability in ATMs and minimize disruptions to banking services. Consequently, customers may be able to carry out essential transactions via digital channels and ATMs.

Important advice for customers

If you need to deposit or withdraw cash at a bank branch, handle cheque-related tasks, access lockers, process loan documents, or attend to any other urgent banking matters, it is advisable to complete them before the strike begins. Wrapping up such tasks by September 25 can help avoid potential inconvenience over the five-day period.