NEW DELHI, India | September 26, 2026 —
Bank customers across India face an unusual banking schedule over the next few days. Banks are closed today, September 26, because it is the fourth Saturday of the month, but public sector banks and regional rural banks are set to open on Sunday, September 27, ahead of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30.
The special Sunday opening changes the earlier expectation that customers could face five consecutive days without normal branch banking.
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the opening of public sector bank and regional rural bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27 to reduce inconvenience to customers ahead of the strike.
THE 60-SECOND BRIEF
Banks are closed on Saturday, September 26, because it is the fourth Saturday.
However, public sector banks and regional rural banks will open on Sunday, September 27 as a special measure.
The United Forum of Bank Unions has called a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to September 30.
Public sector bank branch services could face significant disruption during the strike.
UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs are expected to remain available, although customers may face localised service issues.
Are Banks Closed Today, September 26?
Yes.
Bank branches are closed today, September 26, because it is the fourth Saturday of the month.
Under the existing banking holiday system, banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays.
Customers should therefore not expect normal branch operations today.
Digital banking services, including UPI, mobile banking and internet banking, generally continue to operate.
Will Banks Open on Sunday, September 27?
Yes, but the special arrangement primarily applies to Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks.
The government has taken this unusual step because a three-day nationwide strike is scheduled to begin immediately afterwards.
The RBI has approved normal functioning of branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on Sunday.
This gives customers an additional opportunity to complete important branch-related transactions before the strike begins.
Why Are Bank Employees Going on Strike?
The United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella body representing several bank employee and officer unions, has called the strike from September 28 to 30.
A central demand is the implementation of a five-day banking week.
Bank unions want all Saturdays to become holidays.
At present, only the second and fourth Saturdays are bank holidays.
The unions argue that the proposal for a five-day working week has already been discussed within the banking sector but has not yet received final implementation.
Conciliation talks held ahead of the strike did not produce a breakthrough.
As a result, the union has maintained its strike call.
Which Banks Could Be Most Affected?
Public sector banks are expected to see the biggest impact.
These include major lenders such as:
State Bank of India
Punjab National Bank
Bank of Baroda
Canara Bank
Union Bank of India
Bank of India
Central Bank of India
Indian Bank
Other public sector lenders may also see branch-level disruption depending on employee participation.
Private sector banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank are expected to face much less impact because the strike primarily involves unions representing employees in public sector banking.
However, customers should still check local branch availability before travelling.
SBI Issues Advisory to Customers
State Bank of India has already advised customers to complete important branch-related transactions before the strike period.
The bank has said it will try to maintain essential services, but some operations may still be affected.
Customers have been advised to use:
ATMs and cash deposit machines
YONO and mobile banking
Internet banking
UPI
Customer Service Points
These channels can help customers complete routine transactions without visiting a branch.
What Banking Services Could Be Affected?
The biggest impact is likely to be on services requiring physical branch staff.
These may include:
Cash deposits and withdrawals at counters
Cheque clearing
Demand drafts
Account-related documentation
Loan documentation
Passbook-related work
Customer verification services
Some settlement-related operations
Services could vary from bank to bank and branch to branch.
Will UPI and Online Banking Work During the Strike?
Digital banking services are expected to continue.
UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and most ATM services should remain operational because these systems do not depend entirely on branch staffing.
However, customers should not assume that every service will function without interruption.
ATM cash availability, technical maintenance and certain staff-assisted processes could still face localised delays.
Important Dates for Bank Customers
September 26 — Saturday
Banks closed due to fourth Saturday holiday.
September 27 — Sunday
Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks to open under special arrangement.
September 28 — Monday
Nationwide bank strike scheduled.
September 29 — Tuesday
Second day of strike.
September 30 — Wednesday
Third day of strike.
What Should Customers Do Now?
Customers who need branch services should use the special opening on September 27 wherever applicable.
Those with urgent cheque deposits, documentation, cash requirements or account-related work should avoid waiting until the strike begins.
For routine payments and transfers, digital banking remains the easiest option.
Customers should also keep sufficient cash available if they expect to need it during the strike period.
Why September 30 Matters
September 30 is also an important date for banks because it marks the half-yearly closing period.
Banks usually carry out reconciliation, provisioning, treasury operations and other internal financial processes around this date.
A strike during this period could therefore affect both customer-facing operations and internal banking work.
What Happens Next
The strike will proceed unless there is a fresh agreement or meaningful progress between the bank unions, the government and the Indian Banks’ Association.
For now, customers should treat September 28–30 as potential disruption days.
The special Sunday opening on September 27 gives customers one extra opportunity to finish important banking work.
INVC NEWS Bottom Line
Banks are closed today, September 26, because of the fourth Saturday holiday. However, public sector banks and regional rural banks will open on Sunday, September 27, before the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30. Customers with urgent branch-related work should use Sunday’s special opening rather than waiting until the strike period begins.
What happened. Why it matters. What comes next.
