Banking operations to be hit on January 27 as unions to go on strike seeking five-day work week

By Admin

27 Jan, 2026

Banking services across India are expected to face significant disruption on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as public sector bank unions go ahead with a nationwide strike demanding the immediate implementation of a five-day work week. The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) after talks with the government failed to reach a resolution.

Three Consecutive Days of Branch-Level Disruption

With banks remaining closed on Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26 due to Republic Day, the strike on January 27 will effectively disrupt branch-level banking services for three consecutive days. Customers of public sector banks are likely to face inconvenience, particularly for services that require physical branch visits.

The UFBU, an umbrella body of nine unions representing officers and employees of public sector banks, confirmed the strike after a conciliation meeting with the Chief Labour Commissioner on January 23 did not produce a positive outcome.

Reason Behind the Strike

The core demand of the unions is the declaration of all Saturdays as holidays, enabling a five-day work week for banks. According to the unions, this arrangement was agreed upon during the 12th bipartite wage settlement signed with the Indian Banks’ Association in March 2024, but it is still awaiting formal government notification.

AIBEA General Secretary C.H. Venkatachalam stated that despite detailed discussions during conciliation proceedings, there was no assurance from the authorities, leaving unions with no option but to proceed with strike action.

All India Bank Officers’ Confederation General Secretary Rupam Roy also highlighted that bankers had agreed to work an additional 40 minutes daily from Monday to Friday, ensuring no loss of man-hours. He expressed disappointment over the lack of response from the government on what he termed a genuine and practical demand.

Unions Stress Long-Term Banking Efficiency

National Confederation of Bank Employees General Secretary L. Chandrasekhar emphasized that the movement is not against customers but aimed at building a sustainable and efficient banking system. According to him, a balanced and rested workforce is essential for financial stability, and five-day banking should be seen as an economic and human necessity rather than a luxury.

Banking Services Likely to Be Affected

The strike is expected to impact branch operations at public sector banks such as State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and Bank of Baroda. Services including cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances, loan processing, and routine administrative work are likely to be affected.

Several public sector lenders, including SBI, have already informed stock exchanges about the potential impact. In a regulatory filing dated January 23, SBI stated that while arrangements have been made to ensure normal functioning, banking operations may still be affected due to the strike.

Private Banks and Digital Services to Remain Operational

Major private sector banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank are expected to remain largely unaffected, as their employees are not part of the unions participating in the strike.

Digital banking services, including UPI, mobile banking, and internet banking, will continue to function normally. However, ATM cash availability could face localized issues due to logistical and replenishment delays during the strike period.

Current Banking Schedule and What Lies Ahead

At present, banks operate on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of every month, remaining closed on the second and fourth Saturdays. The unions’ demand seeks to change this structure permanently by making all Saturdays non-working days.

With the strike set to proceed, customers are advised to plan their banking transactions in advance and rely on digital channels wherever possible until normal branch operations resume.