New Delhi, September 26, 2026: Customers of public sector banks will get an additional opportunity to complete branch-related banking work this Sunday, September 27, as Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) have been directed to operate normally ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike.
The unusual Sunday opening has been announced in view of the strike scheduled from September 28 to September 30. Since September 26 is the fourth Saturday and September 27 would ordinarily be a Sunday holiday, the government’s decision is aimed at preventing an extended disruption to banking services. The Ministry of Finance confirmed that the Reserve Bank of India has approved the operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.
SBI, PNB and Other Government Banks to Operate
The Sunday working arrangement applies to public sector banks and regional rural banks. Major lenders including State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of India and Indian Bank are among the institutions covered by the arrangement.
Banks have separately been advising customers to complete important branch-dependent transactions before the strike period. SBI and other lenders have also encouraged customers to use digital banking facilities wherever possible.
Why Are Banks Opening on Sunday?
The decision is directly connected to the proposed three-day strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
If the strike proceeds as announced, the timing could create a prolonged interruption in physical banking services because it follows the fourth-Saturday holiday and Sunday. The government has therefore provided customers with an additional working day before the strike begins.
The Finance Ministry said the objective is to ensure that genuine banking requirements are not affected for an extended period.
Three-Day Bank Strike From September 28
Bank unions have called the strike for September 28-30, with the demand for implementation of a five-day banking week being a central issue.
At present, bank branches generally operate on the first, third and fifth Saturdays, while the second and fourth Saturdays are holidays. Employee organisations have been seeking a system under which all Saturdays would become holidays, alongside other employment-related demands.
The proposed strike also coincides with the half-yearly closing of bank accounts on September 30, making the period particularly significant for financial institutions, businesses and customers.
What Customers Should Do
Customers who require services that normally require a physical branch visit can use Sunday, September 27, to complete their work at participating public sector and regional rural bank branches.
For routine transactions, banks have advised customers to rely on facilities such as UPI, internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs and other digital channels during the strike period. However, availability of specific services may vary depending on the bank and the level of employee participation in the strike.
Will Digital Banking Services Continue?
Digital banking services are expected to remain available, although customers should not assume that every service requiring bank employees will function normally during the strike.
UPI payments, mobile banking, internet banking and ATM services are designed to operate independently of normal branch working, but technical issues or service-specific limitations can still occur.
Customers with time-sensitive transactions, documentation requirements or other branch-dependent work should therefore avoid waiting until the strike begins.
What Happens After September 27?
The Sunday opening is a temporary arrangement designed to provide customers with access to banking facilities immediately before the proposed strike.
The government and bank managements have appealed to unions to reconsider the strike, while the unions continue to press their demands. If the strike proceeds from September 28 to 30, customers should expect possible disruption to physical branch operations during those three days.
For now, September 27 will function as an additional banking day for public sector and regional rural banks, giving customers an opportunity to complete essential work before the proposed strike begins.
