Full Breakdown
RBI Approves Sunday Banking as Nationwide Strike Looms
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Sunday Opening Ahead of the Strike
On September 27, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the operation of all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests. The move ensures that public-sector banks and regional rural banks remain fully functional on a weekend day that would otherwise be a holiday. The Finance Ministry framed the decision as a measure to give customers an extra day of service before the three-day nationwide strike scheduled for September 28-30, 2026.
Context: Upcoming Strike and Recent Labor Actions
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) announced the strike for September 28-30, 2026, following a one-day walkout on September 11, 2026. The unions are pressing for a five-day workweek and the withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The government noted that the strike coincides with the banks’ half-yearly closing on September 30, 2026, a period critical for reconciliation, provisioning, treasury and market-related activities.
Government and RBI Actions
The RBI’s approval was described as a “strategic decision” to prevent a five-day service disruption that would have resulted from the weekend holidays on September 26-27 combined with the strike. Digital channels such as internet banking, mobile banking and UPI were expected to remain available, subject to individual bank arrangements.
Union Concerns and Uncertainties
The UFBU raised questions about the legal status of September 27 under the Negotiable Instruments Act and whether the RBI approval covered all banking activities or only limited functions like ATM replenishment. In an urgent online meeting on September 23, 2026, the forum said it would seek clarification from individual banks and raise the issue with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Finance Ministry confirmed the Sunday opening, reports varied on whether banks would also operate on Saturday, September 26. No official statement confirmed a nationwide Saturday opening, leaving customers uncertain about the extent of weekend services.