Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Bank Strike Planned Amid Republic Day Closures
Bank workers in India are planning to go on strike for one day, on January 27.
They want banks to close on Saturdays, so they only work five days a week, like many other jobs.
The unions say that the Indian Banks’ Association has already agreed to this idea, but the government has not yet given the final approval.
The workers have been asking for this change since 2015.
To make sure they still work the same number of hours each week, they have agreed to work about 40 minutes extra each day.
The strike might cause some problems for people who need to use banks on that day.
Additionally, banks will be closed on January 26 for Republic Day, creating a long weekend.
If you need banking services on a holiday, you can use digital banking services like mobile apps, online banking, or ATMs.
Bank unions have called for a nationwide strike on January 27 to demand a five-day work week.
The strike will last for 24 hours, from midnight on January 26 to midnight on January 27.
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), representing nine major bank unions, has announced the strike.
The main demand is to declare all Saturdays as bank holidays, so banks operate only from Monday to Friday.
The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has already recommended the five-day work week to the government, but it is still awaiting final approval.
- Who
- Bank employee and officer unions across India, represented by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU)
- What
- Nationwide strike to demand a five-day work week in the banking sector
- When
- January 27, from midnight on January 26 to midnight on January 27
- Where
- Across India
- Why
- To demand that all Saturdays be declared bank holidays, bringing banks in line with many other sectors that already follow a five-day work week
- Strike Date
- January 27
- Strike Duration
- 24 hours (from midnight on January 26 to midnight on January 27)
- Organizing Body
- United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU)
- Main Demand
- Five-day work week (Monday to Friday)
- Current Work Week
- Six days (Monday to Saturday, with holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays)
- Proposed Compensation
- Extended daily working hours by about 40 minutes to maintain total weekly working time
- IBA's Stance
- Recommended the five-day work week to the government, awaiting final approval
- Demand History
- Pending since 2015, with several talks and broad agreements reached
- Republic Day Holiday
- January 26 (Monday)
- Next Bank Holiday
- February 18
Sources
Banks May Face Disruption On Jan 27, Unions Press Govt For Five-Day Work Week
Will banks be closed on January 27? All you need to know
Bank holiday on January 26: Are banks open or closed tomorrow for Republic Day? Check RBI calendar
