SBI bank strike September 28, 2026: The proposed three-day nationwide bank strike scheduled for September 28 to September 30 has been deferred after the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) reached an understanding following discussions on Sunday night, September 27.
The development means the planned strike will not go ahead on September 28 as originally announced. Banks are expected to function normally today, including SBI branches, according to the latest reports.
The deferment came after the IBA agreed to continue discussions on key demands raised by bank unions, particularly the long-pending demand for a five-day banking week, under which the remaining Saturdays would become holidays.
SBI Bank Strike September 28: Are SBI Banks Open Today?
Yes. SBI branches are expected to remain open on Monday, September 28, 2026.
The planned September 28-30 strike was deferred after the UFBU-IBA meeting on September 27. Economic Times reported that SBI branches would remain open, so earlier reports about closures are now outdated. Customers should still check their local SBI branch timings before visiting.
Why Was the SBI Bank Strike Deferred?
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) had scheduled the nationwide bank strike for September 28-30, mainly over the demand for a five-day banking week with all Saturdays as holidays.
After talks on September 27, the IBA and UFBU agreed to form a high-level committee to examine the demand and consult stakeholders. The strike was subsequently deferred.
However, the five-day banking week has not been implemented. Further discussions are still pending.
What Was the Bank Strike About?
The proposed September 28 bank strike followed earlier industrial action and negotiations between bank unions, the IBA and the government.
The central demand was the introduction of a five-day working week for banks.
Under the existing banking schedule, the second and fourth Saturdays are generally bank holidays, while other Saturdays are working days.
The unions have been seeking holidays on all Saturdays.
Before the deferment, the Finance Ministry had announced arrangements for public-sector banks and Regional Rural Banks to operate on Sunday, September 27, ahead of the planned strike.
The Reserve Bank of India had approved the operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.
That arrangement was made when the September 28–30 strike was still scheduled.
Five-Day Banking Week: What Happens Now?
The demand for a five-day banking week remains under discussion.
According to the latest UFBU-IBA understanding, a high-level committee will be formed immediately to consider declaring the remaining Saturdays as holidays. The committee will examine alternatives, consult stakeholders and work towards a solution that also considers customers’ interests.
This does not mean that all Saturdays have become bank holidays from September 28.
Until any formal change is announced through the appropriate process, customers should continue to follow the existing bank working-day and holiday schedules.
What About the PLI Issue?
The discussions also covered the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Scale IV and above officers.
Under the latest understanding, discussions with the IBA can begin on proposed modifications to the scheme, with the aim of addressing observations raised by unions and associations before proposals are taken forward to the government.
The PLI issue had been one of the subjects involved in the wider dispute between bank unions and the authorities.
What Other Issues Will Be Discussed?
The September 27 understanding also provides for discussions on residual issues listed in the minutes of the March 8, 2024 meeting between the relevant parties.
The purpose is to pursue these pending matters towards resolution alongside the discussions on five-day banking and the PLI scheme. The latest development is therefore a move from the planned strike towards further negotiations rather than a final settlement of every issue raised by the unions.
SBI Bank Strike Today: What Should Customers Do?
Yes. SBI branches are expected to operate normally on Monday, September 28, after the proposed three-day bank strike was deferred.
Customers who need branch services can therefore proceed based on their local branch’s normal operating schedule.
Digital banking channels such as internet banking, mobile banking, UPI and ATMs can also continue to be used where available. However, customers should distinguish between services provided digitally and transactions that specifically require branch staff.
For any time-sensitive transaction, checking the latest communication from SBI or the concerned branch remains the safest approach.
Will Banks Be Closed on September 29 and September 30?
The proposed strike has been deferred, and current reports indicate that banking operations will continue.
However, customers should not confuse the deferred strike with a permanent change to bank holidays. Regular bank holidays and branch-specific working schedules continue to apply separately. For transactions that cannot be delayed, customers should verify the relevant branch’s schedule before travelling.
What Happens After the Bank Strike Is Deferred?
The proposed September 28–30 nationwide bank strike has been deferred following the September 27 understanding between the UFBU and IBA. SBI branches are expected to remain open on September 28, while discussions on five-day banking, the PLI scheme, and other pending issues will continue. Customers should still check their local SBI branch schedule for any branch-specific changes.
The next stage is negotiations.
The key update for customers on the SBI bank strike September 28, 2026, is that the proposed September 28–30 bank strike has been deferred. SBI branches are expected to remain open today, while discussions on the five-day banking week, PLI, and other pending issues will continue.
