A three-day nationwide strike of public sector banks has been announced across the country from 28 to 30 September 2026. The news of this strike had increased the concern about money transactions among the general public, but in the meantime, a very relieving and big news has come out for the common people, farmers and rural account holders.
Big gift for SBI customers
If you have an account in the country's largest government bank i.e. SBI, then this new update of the bank will bring a smile on your face. In fact, in view of the three-day bank strike, the bank has given great relief to its customers and announced that no ATM transaction charges will be taken during these three days.
During this period, SBI customers will be able to easily withdraw cash from the ATM of any bank in the country without any extra charges. This means that now when you need money, there will be no need to find only SBI ATM, rather you will be able to withdraw money from any other bank's ATM without any restriction and no charge will be levied on you by the bank.
Cooperative banks will remain open even during the strike
During this three-day bank shutdown, cooperative banks across the country will remain open completely normally. Organizations associated with the cooperative banking sector have made it clear that their bank employees will not participate in this strike at all. In such a situation, customers will continue to get services in cooperative banks for depositing, withdrawing money and other important banking purposes. However, the availability of services at individual banks may depend on their local practices.
According to organizations in the cooperative banking sector, urban cooperative banks, state cooperative banks and district central cooperative banks will function smoothly on September 28, 29 and 30. Employees of these banks are not part of the strike, so customers can easily go to these bank branches and transact as per their need.
Which banking services will you be able to avail?
In these cooperative banks, customers will get full benefits of depositing cash, withdrawing money, transferring money and other general banking services. These banks will also prove to be very helpful for farmers and small businessmen living in rural areas during this period. Apart from this, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies i.e. PACS will completely help in providing financial services to the farmers of rural areas at the local level. However, it would be better to contact the concerned bank branch to confirm the availability of any particular or specific service.
Why has this nationwide bank strike been called?
The Union United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for this nationwide bank strike from 28th to 30th September. The main demands of the bank unions include implementing the rule of working only five days a week in the banking sector. Under this demand, bank employees want that banks should be completely closed on Saturdays also. The biggest impact of this strike is going to be mainly on the branches of public sector banks and regional rural banks.
Bank branches will open normally on 27th September also
Just before the start of the strike, keeping in mind the convenience of the common customers, the government has directed the public sector banks and regional rural banks to remain open normally on 27 September 2026 i.e. Sunday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also given full approval to operate bank branches, offices and related financial centers across the country on this day. If you have to go to the bank to complete any important work, then you can take full advantage of it on 27th September. However, before visiting the bank branch, please confirm that it is operational there.