Cash, UPI, ATM or branch? What changes when banks go on strike
Banks may face a five-day service disruption around September 28-30 as unions plan a strike. Here’s what customers need to know about branches, ATMs, UPI and digital banking.
- Sep 23, 2026,
- Updated Sep 23, 2026 4:17 PM IST
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Five-Day Disruption
Banks could effectively face a five-day service disruption as the proposed September 28-30 strike follows the weekend. Customers with branch-dependent work may want to finish it before Friday to avoid delays around month-end.
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Month-End Crunch
The timing matters because September 30 is the half-yearly closing for banks, when reconciliation, provisioning, treasury and market operations are carried out. A strike at this point could add pressure to already time-sensitive banking work.
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Digital Lifeline
Branches may be shut if the strike goes ahead, but customers can still access several services digitally. Public sector banks have advised using mobile banking, internet banking, ATMs, BC points and UPI for routine transactions.
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Union Demands
The United Forum of Bank Unions says it will proceed with the strike unless there is concrete progress on five-day banking. Its wider demands include pension improvements, a uniform dearness allowance formula and an OPS option for NPS-covered employees.
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Government Response
The finance ministry and Department of Financial Services have asked unions to defer the strike, saying five-day banking is under consideration but requires views from other stakeholders. The government has urged continued dialogue instead of disruption.