Archive · 25 Sep 2026
SBI Waives ATM Charges as Nationwide Bank Strike Approaches
Bank employees in India are planning a three-day strike from September 28 to 30, 2026.
The State Bank of India says customers will not pay applicable ATM charges during those days.
SBI customers can use an ATM run by any bank in India under the waiver.
People can also keep using UPI, IMPS, NEFT and RTGS for digital payments and transfers.
Mobile, internet and WhatsApp banking will also remain available.
SBI branches and other public-sector and rural banks will open on Sunday, September 27.
This gives people an extra day to complete work that needs a branch.
The government wants to reduce disruption, while the bank unions are continuing with their strike plans and have questioned the clarity of the Sunday-opening decision.
State Bank of India will waive applicable ATM transaction charges from September 28 to 30, 2026.
The waiver covers SBI customers using ATMs operated by any bank in India.
UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS, mobile, internet and WhatsApp banking will continue during the proposed strike.
Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will operate normally on Sunday, September 27.
The United Forum of Bank Unions has called the strike over pending demands, including a five-day banking week.
- Who
- SBI customers, the United Forum of Bank Unions, Public Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks, the Government and the Reserve Bank of India are involved.
- What
- A proposed three-day nationwide bank strike will coincide with an SBI ATM-charge waiver, continued digital services and extra branch access on September 27.
- When
- The strike is scheduled for September 28-30, 2026; banks are directed to operate on Sunday, September 27.
- Where
- The arrangements apply across India.
- Why
- The strike was called over pending union demands, including a five-day banking week, while the government and banks are seeking to protect customers from service disruption.
Bank Unions
Government and Bank Managements
Whether to proceed with the strike
Bank Unions
The United Forum of Bank Unions has called a three-day strike from September 28 to 30 over pending demands, including implementation of a five-day banking week.
Government and Bank Managements
The Government and bank managements have appealed to the unions to defer the strike and have arranged continued access to essential banking services.
Opening branches on Sunday
Bank Unions
The United Forum of Bank Unions questioned the clarity of the decision to open bank branches on Sunday, September 27.
Government and Bank Managements
The Government, with Reserve Bank of India approval, directed Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks to operate normally on Sunday to reduce disruption for customers.
- Strike period
- September 28-30, 2026
- ATM waiver
- SBI will waive applicable ATM transaction charges during the strike period.
- ATM coverage
- The waiver applies when SBI customers use ATMs operated by any bank in India.
- Digital services
- UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS, mobile banking, internet banking and WhatsApp banking will remain available.
- Sunday banking
- Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on September 27, 2026.
- RBI approval
- The Reserve Bank of India approved the operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.
- Union position
- The United Forum of Bank Unions called the strike and reportedly questioned the clarity of the Sunday branch-opening decision.
