Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Nationwide Bank Strike Disrupts Public Sector Branch Services
Bank employees across India went on strike on September 11, 2026.
They wanted banks to close on every Saturday.
The unions said this plan had already been agreed to but still needed government approval.
Many public sector bank branches were closed or only partly operating.
This made cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque processing and paperwork more difficult.
Some services, such as passbook updates, locker access and loan-related work, could also be delayed.
Most private banks continued working normally, although some older private banks were affected.
Digital services such as UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and many ATMs continued to work.
The United Forum of Bank Unions called a nationwide strike on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Most public sector bank branches were fully or partially closed, disrupting cash, cheque and administrative services.
Private sector banks were largely unaffected, although some old-generation private banks also reported disruption.
UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and generally ATM services remained available, subject to technical issues and cash availability.
Unions demanded all Saturdays as holidays, changes to performance-linked incentives and resolution of pension and other wage-related issues.
- Who
- The United Forum of Bank Unions and its constituent bank employee and officer unions organized the strike; the All India Bank Employees Association said about eight lakh employees, officers and managers participated.
- What
- A nationwide bank strike disrupted branch operations, with unions demanding a five-day banking week and resolution of pending incentive, pension and wage-related issues.
- When
- The strike took place on Friday, September 11, 2026; further strikes were announced for September 28-30, with an indefinite strike threatened from October 26 if demands remained unresolved.
- Where
- Across India, particularly at public sector bank branches and some old-generation private banks.
- Why
- The unions said the five-day-week proposal and other demands had not been implemented or resolved, despite the proposal reportedly being included in a March 2024 settlement.
Union position
Government and bank position
Five-day banking week
Union position
Unions said all Saturdays should become holidays because the proposal was reportedly included in the 2024 settlement, with employees agreeing to work an additional 40 minutes from Monday to Friday.
Government and bank position
The proposal still required government notification, and union statements said discussions had produced no concrete or positive outcome.
Performance-linked incentives
Union position
Unions described the Department of Financial Services' performance-linked incentive structure as unilateral and discriminatory. They sought a uniform system linked to the overall performance of each bank.
Government and bank position
The reports do not provide a detailed government response, but say the government PLI scheme had been kept in abeyance for further discussion with unions.
Strike impact and necessity
Union position
The unions said the strike was forced by the lack of progress and claimed that bank employees and officers were being discriminated against.
Government and bank position
Public sector banks said they had made arrangements for normal operations while warning customers that branch work could still be affected; digital services remained available.
- Strike organizer
- United Forum of Bank Unions, described in most reports as representing seven unions and about 90% of bank officers and employees; another report described it as representing nine unions.
- Main demand
- A five-day banking week with all Saturdays declared holidays.
- Current Saturday schedule
- Banks remain open on the first, third and fifth Saturdays; the second and fourth Saturdays are holidays.
- Affected branch services
- Cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances, administrative work, passbook updates, locker access, KYC services, pension documentation and some loan-related activities could be disrupted.
- Digital services
- UPI, internet banking and mobile banking remained functional; ATM access was generally expected to continue but could depend on technical conditions, cash replenishment and local circumstances.
- Earlier agreement
- Unions said the five-day-week proposal was included in the 12th Bipartite Settlement signed with the Indian Banks' Association in March 2024 and was awaiting government notification.
- Other demands
- Unions sought changes to performance-linked incentives, improved and updated pensions, a uniform dearness allowance formula and an option to switch from the National Pension System to the Old Pension Scheme.
- Further industrial action
- The unions announced a three-day strike for September 28-30, 2026, and threatened an indefinite nationwide strike from October 26 if the dispute continued.
Sources
Bank strike today as unions push 5 day week: Which branches are closed? What services are hit?
Banking Services Impacted As Unions Go on Nationwide Strike To Press For 5-Day Workweek
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Bank strike today: Why are unions holding nationwide protest, what are their demands
Five-day work week demand disrupts cash, cheque services at public sector banks across India
'This strike is forced on us': Bank services hit as unions demand 5-day workweek
