India Bank Strike Today Over Five-Day Week, Branch Services Face Three-Day Disruption

New Delhi | 11 Sep 2026

Banking services across India are expected to face disruption on Friday, 11 September, after the United Forum of Bank Unions went ahead with a nationwide strike demanding implementation of a five-day banking week. With banks also closed on the second Saturday, 12 September, and Sunday, 13 September, customers dependent on branch services could face a three-day gap in regular banking operations.

Bank strike in India goes ahead over five-day working demand

The United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella body of major bank employee and officer unions, decided to proceed with the strike after talks with the Indian Banks’ Association and government representatives failed to produce a definite timeline for implementing five-day banking.

In an official circular issued ahead of the strike, the All India Bank Employees’ Association said the Department of Financial Services had informed union representatives that the five-day banking proposal remained under government consideration. The unions, however, declined requests to defer the industrial action in the absence of a firm decision or timeline.

The five-day banking proposal was agreed between the unions and the Indian Banks’ Association as part of the March 2024 settlement and subsequently sent to the government for approval, according to the union.

Cash, cheque and other branch services may be affected

Customers could face delays in branch-dependent services such as cash deposits and withdrawals at counters, cheque-related work, passbook updates, loan processing and other in-person transactions, depending on employee participation in the strike.

The strike does not mean that every bank branch across India is automatically closed. September 11 is not a nationwide bank holiday under the Reserve Bank of India’s holiday calendar, and individual banks have made arrangements to maintain essential operations where possible.

State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank have cautioned customers that branch operations may be affected. The banks have advised customers to use digital and alternative banking channels for essential transactions.

UPI, ATMs and online banking expected to remain available

Digital banking services including UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs are expected to remain available during the strike. SBI has also advised customers to use its digital platforms, ATMs, automated deposit-cum-withdrawal machines and customer service points where required.

However, customers requiring physical branch assistance may experience delays, particularly because the strike immediately precedes the second Saturday and Sunday.

Why bank employees are on strike

The principal demand is the introduction of a five-day working week for banks. Unions have also raised concerns over the Performance Linked Incentive scheme and several pending service-related issues.

The Department of Financial Services has informed the unions that the Performance Linked Incentive scheme for Scale IV to VIII officers for 2025-26 has been kept in abeyance and would be discussed bilaterally. Despite that development, the UFBU said the absence of progress on five-day banking remained sufficient reason to continue with the September 11 strike.

Other issues raised by the unions include recruitment, pensions, gratuity, medical insurance for retirees and other service conditions.

More bank strikes planned if dispute remains unresolved

The September 11 stoppage is part of a wider programme of industrial action announced by the UFBU. The unions have also called for a three-day nationwide strike on 28, 29 and 30 September if their demands remain unresolved.

They have further warned of an indefinite strike from 26 October. Whether those actions proceed will depend on developments in negotiations with the government and the Indian Banks’ Association.