The Finance Ministry notified that that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval for all bank branches, offices, ATM-link branches and Currency Chests to remain fully operational on Sunday, i.e., September 27.
The notification comes after the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, coinciding with the preceding weekend holidays of September 26 and 27.
Also read: Banks closed in India for 5 days? SBI & other top lenders send important message before strike
The government has taken proactive steps to safeguard the banking needs of citizens, the notification said, adding that all Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
"In order to ensure that the genuine banking needs of the public are not adversely affected for an extended period, all Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, the 27th of September, 2026. The Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for all bank branches, offices, ATM-link branches and Currency Chests to remain fully operational on 27.09.2026," it said.
The government reiterated that the welfare and convenience of bank customers remains its foremost priority.
"The Government and bank managements have appealed to unions to defer the proposed strike, and have also taken measures to ensure that essential banking services continue un-interrupted," the ministry said.
For customer convenience, State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank advised customers to complete important branch banking transactions in advance ahead of the proposed bank strike.
The banks urged customers to use digital and self-service channels during the strike period.
Banks to remain closed for 5 days?
The government has prevented the closure of banks for five consecutive days with the latest notification that allows bank branches, currency chests, bank offices and ATM-linked branches to remain open on Sunday, 27 September.
The Finance Ministry earlier appealed to bank employees to call off the proposed strike and settle their outstanding demands through discussions.
The UFBU is primarily seeking the introduction of a five-day working week in the banking sector.
The bank strike overlaps with the half-yearly closing of banks on September 30, an important date for provisioning, reconciliation, treasury operations and other financial activities.
