Story perspectives

Banks Ordered Open Sept. 27 Ahead of Sept. 28-30 Strike

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 4:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

India’s Ministry of Finance ordered banks to open on September 27, with RBI approving branches, offices and ATMs to stay operational.
The United Forum of Bank Unions will strike nationwide from September 28-30, 2026.
UFBU demands a five-day banking week, pension reforms and withdrawal of the revised PLI scheme.
Banks urged customers to finish branch-dependent tasks before September 28 and to use digital channels during the strike.

History

Historical Context

In 1969 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi nationalized fourteen major banks, giving the public sector control of about 85 % of deposits and expanding branches to over 62,000. That reform legacy resurfaces as the United Forum of Bank Unions stages a strike on 28-30 September 2026 demanding a five-day workweek and pension changes, pressuring the State Bank of India and peers.

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Story summary

India’s Ministry of Finance ordered banks to open on September 27, with RBI approving branches, offices and ATMs to stay operational.
The United Forum of Bank Unions will strike nationwide from September 28-30, 2026.
UFBU demands a five-day banking week, pension reforms and withdrawal of the revised PLI scheme.
Banks urged customers to finish branch-dependent tasks before September 28 and to use digital channels during the strike.

1 / 2