The Government of India has announced that on Sunday, September 27, 2026, all public sector banks and regional rural banks will be open since it’s a special working day, considering the planned three-day nationwide bank strike between September 28 and 30. The Reserve Bank of India has also allowed all PSBs, RRBs, and RBI-regulated entities like ATM-link branches and currency chests to function as normal. However, this announcement regarding the opening of banks over the weekend only relates to PSBs and RRBs, and private sector banks are not required to open on that day.
Are banks open on Sunday, September 27, 2026?
Yes. Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on September 27, 2026. With the implementation of this bank working day, the government aims to avoid delaying access to branches because of strikes or protests by employees.
| Date | Banking Status |
| September 26, Saturday | Fourth Saturday – normal bank holiday |
| September 27, Sunday | Special working day for PSBs* and RRBs* |
| September 28, Monday | Proposed nationwide bank strike |
| September 29, Tuesday | Proposed nationwide bank strike |
| September 30, Wednesday | Proposed nationwide bank strike |
*Note: PSB stands for Public Sector Banks, and RRB stands for Regional Rural Banks.
So, customers checking whether banks are open on 27 September 2026 can visit PSB and RRB branches covered by the government decision, as these branches will remain open that Sunday.
Banks That Will Open on September 27
The government order specifically applies to public sector banks and regional rural banks. India currently has 12 public sector banks, including the following major lenders.
- State Bank of India
- Bank of Baroda
- Punjab National Bank
- Canara Bank
- Union Bank of India
- Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- UCO Bank
- Other Public Sector Banks
The announcement does not state that all private banks, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, must remain open. Private-bank customers should check their bank’s official website, app, or branch notice before planning a visit.
Also Read: RBI Slashed Repo Rate to 5.25%
When Is the 3-Day Bank Strike?
The United Forum of Bank Unions has called for a nationwide bank strike for three consecutive days at the end of September 2026. As of September 23, the strike call remains in place.
- Monday, September 28, 2026
- Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026
On September 22, the unions, the Indian Banks’ Association, the Department of Financial Services, and bank management representatives attended a conciliation meeting. The talks did not produce a settlement on the key five-day banking demand. UFBU subsequently said its members would proceed with the September 28–30 strike unless there was concrete progress before then.
Why Are Bank Employees Going on Strike?
The current dispute includes several employee and pension-related demands, but the central unresolved issue behind the September 28–30 action is the demand for a five-day banking week.
Five-Day Banking Week
Bank unions want all Saturdays to become holidays, with banking work concentrated from Monday to Friday. They say this arrangement was agreed upon as part of the March 2024 wage settlement but has not yet received final implementation.
- The five-day banking proposal remains under government consideration.
- Unions have also raised concerns over the Performance Linked Incentive scheme.
- Other pending demands include pension updation and improvement.
- Unions are seeking a uniform Dearness Allowance formula for pensioners.
- They have also sought an option for eligible employees covered by NPS to move to the Old Pension Scheme.
Affected Banking Services
The greatest disruption is expected in services that depend on branch employees, physical documents, or manual processing. The actual impact will vary depending on staff participation and individual bank arrangements.
| Service | Likely Impact |
| Branch counter services | May be heavily affected |
| Cash deposit/withdrawal at branch | May face disruption |
| Cheque clearing | Delays possible |
| Document submission / verification | May be delayed |
| Loan / account service requests | Delays possible |
| Account closure | May be affected |
| Cash-related branch operations | Possible disruption |
Public-sector and regional rural bank branches are expected to face the greatest impact where employees join the strike. Private-sector banks could see less disruption, although this will depend on employee participation and each bank’s operational arrangements.
What Banking Services Should Continue?
Automated and digital banking channels are expected to remain available during the strike because they do not normally depend on branch staff for routine transactions.
- UPI
- Mobile banking
- Internet banking
- Debit and credit card payments
- ATMs
- IMPS
- Other automated digital banking services
Banks have been asked to maintain ATM and digital services, but customers should not assume that every ATM will always have cash. Extended branch disruption can affect cash replenishment in some locations. Digital banking can also experience normal technical outages or maintenance issues unrelated to the strike.
Bank Strike Fake News: What Is Actually True?
Several messages about the September bank strike are circulating online. The safest way to check them is to compare each claim with official government notices and current bank advisories.
| Claim | Fact |
| “Banks will be closed continuously from Sep 26 to 30.” | False for PSBs and RRBs. They will be specially open on Sunday, September 27. |
| “All banks in India will open on Sep 27.” | Misleading. The government announcement specifically covers public sector banks and regional rural banks. |
| “UPI and online banking will stop during the strike.” | False. Digital and self-service banking channels are expected to remain available. |
| “ATMs will be shut during the strike.” | False. ATMs are expected to operate, although cash availability can vary by location. |
| “The Sep 28–30 strike has been cancelled.” | Not true as of September 23. UFBU has said the strike will proceed. |
Customers should rely on PIB, the Finance Ministry, RBI, and their own bank’s official website, app, or notices instead of forwarded WhatsApp or social media messages.
What Should Bank Customers Do Before the Strike?
Customers with work that requires a branch visit should complete it before the strike, where possible. September 27 provides an additional opportunity for customers of PSBs and RRBs covered by the special opening.
- Use September 27 for urgent branch work if your PSB or RRB is open.
- Deposit important checks early.
- Complete essential cash withdrawals or deposits.
- Submit time-sensitive documents before the strike.
- Complete loan or account requests that require branch staff.
- Keep enough cash for essential expenses.
- Make sure mobile and internet banking are active.
- Check UPI limits and your registered mobile number.
- Avoid leaving branch-dependent work until September 28.
- Confirm branch timings through your bank’s official website or app.
Conclusion
Public sector banks and regional rural banks will open specially on Sunday, September 27, 2026, ahead of the proposed September 28–30 nationwide strike. Digital banking services should largely remain available, but branch-based transactions, check-related work, and other manual services can face disruption. Customers with urgent branch work should use the special Sunday opening and continue checking official bank and government updates.
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