Bank strike Sep 28-30: PSBs, RRBs open Sunday to serve customers
Synopsis
With a three-day nationwide bank strike looming from 28-30 September, the Finance Ministry arranged a rare Sunday opening for all major PSBs and 28 RRBs on 27 September — giving millions of customers their last chance at in-branch banking before what could be five back-to-back days without physical access.
Key Takeaways
SBI , Bank of Baroda , PNB , and all major public sector banks are open on Sunday, 27 September .
28 regional rural banks (RRBs) are also operational today under the special arrangement.
The Sunday opening was decided after a Finance Ministry meeting on 21 September with IBA, NABARD, and bank officials.
A proposed three-day nationwide strike (28-30 September) has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) .
Private sector banks are not covered under the Sunday opening arrangement.
Customers are advised to use UPI, NEFT, RTGS , and mobile banking during the strike as these are generally unaffected.
Public sector banks including State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda (BoB), and Punjab National Bank (PNB) opened their branches on Sunday, 27 September 2026, giving customers a crucial window to complete pending transactions before a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from 28 September to 30 September. The special working day arrangement covers all major public sector banks (PSBs) and 28 regional rural banks (RRBs) across India.
Why Sunday Banking Was Arranged
The decision to keep PSBs and RRBs operational on Sunday was taken following a high-level meeting held on 21 September between officials from the Finance Ministry, public sector banks, regional rural banks, the Indian Banks' Association (IBA), and NABARD. The intent was to ensure uninterrupted access to essential banking services ahead of the strike.
The timing was particularly significant because 26 September (Saturday) and 27 September (Sunday) together form a weekend immediately preceding the proposed strike window. Without Sunday banking, customers would have faced up to five consecutive days of severely limited access to physical branch services — a combination of the weekend and the three strike days.
Which Banks Are Open Today
Among the public sector banks operating on 27 September are SBI, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, Indian Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, UCO Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, and Punjab & Sind Bank.
The arrangement also covers 28 regional rural banks, spanning every major state. These include Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank, Assam Gramin Bank, Bihar Gramin Bank, Gujarat Gramin Bank, Karnataka Grameena Bank, Kerala Grameena Bank, Maharashtra Gramin Bank, Rajasthan Gramin Bank, Tamil Nadu Grama Bank, Telangana Grameena Bank, Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, West Bengal Gramin Bank, and others. Customers are advised to confirm operational arrangements and staffing at their individual branch before visiting.
Notably, the Sunday opening does not automatically extend to private sector banks, which continue to follow their standard weekend schedules.
About the Proposed Three-Day Strike
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and allied bank unions have called for a nationwide strike from 28 September to 30 September. If the strike proceeds as planned, branch services at public sector banks could remain disrupted for the entire duration. Customers are encouraged to use digital banking channels — including UPI, NEFT, RTGS, and mobile banking apps — as alternative options during the strike period, as these are generally unaffected by union action.
What Customers Should Do
Banking officials have urged customers to complete time-sensitive transactions — such as cheque deposits, loan document submissions, and fixed deposit renewals — at any available branch today. ATM networks are expected to remain largely functional during the strike, though cash availability may vary by location. The broader impact on rural banking operations, particularly through RRBs, will depend on the extent of union participation at the ground level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which banks are open on Sunday, 27 September 2026?
All major public sector banks — including SBI, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, Indian Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, UCO Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, and Punjab & Sind Bank — are open on 27 September. Additionally, 28 regional rural banks are operational across the country. Private sector banks are not covered by this arrangement.
Why is there a special Sunday banking arrangement on 27 September?
A Finance Ministry-led meeting on 21 September decided to keep PSBs and RRBs open on Sunday to give customers a last opportunity for in-branch banking before a proposed three-day nationwide strike from 28-30 September. Since 26-27 September fall on a weekend, customers could otherwise have faced up to five consecutive days without physical branch access.
What is the UFBU bank strike and when does it start?
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and allied unions have called a three-day nationwide bank strike from 28 September to 30 September 2026. If the strike proceeds, branch services at public sector banks are likely to be disrupted for the full three days.
Will ATMs and digital banking work during the bank strike?
ATM networks are expected to remain largely functional during the strike, though cash availability may vary by location. Digital channels such as UPI, NEFT, RTGS, and mobile banking apps are generally unaffected by union strikes and can be used as alternatives.
Are private sector banks affected by the Sunday opening or the strike?
Private sector banks are not covered under the special Sunday opening arrangement and will follow their standard schedules. Their exposure to the UFBU-led strike also differs, as the unions primarily represent public sector bank employees.
