Bank Strike Today: Planning a bank visit today? Think again. A nationwide bank strike has shut most public sector banks, affecting cash withdrawals, cheque clearance, and branch services across India.
Nationwide Bank Strike on January 27 Disrupts Public Sector Banking
If you were planning to visit your bank today, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, it’s better to postpone your plans. Almost all public sector banks (PSBs) across the country remain closed due to a nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The strike follows a long holiday stretch, including Sunday and Republic Day on January 26, resulting in a three-day disruption of essential banking services.
Consequently, customers are facing difficulties with cash withdrawals, cheque clearance, and branch-level administrative work. Moreover, with most government-owned banks shut, routine financial transactions have come to a standstill in many regions.
Why Bank Employees Have Called for a Nationwide Strike
This bank strike is not a sudden protest. Instead, it is the outcome of prolonged discussions and unmet demands. The UFBU, which represents nine major bank employee unions, has been pushing for the implementation of a five-day workweek in banks for several years.
However, a crucial conciliation meeting with the Chief Labour Commissioner held on January 23 failed to produce any concrete outcome. Therefore, the unions collectively decided to intensify their agitation through a nationwide strike.
C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), stated that despite weeks of dialogue, the government did not provide any firm commitment. As a result, employees felt left with no option but to take to the streets.
Employees Clarify Their Stand on Five-Day Banking Demand
Meanwhile, bank employee unions have made it clear that their demand is not about reducing work or avoiding responsibility. On the contrary, they argue that the proposed system ensures the same total working hours.
Rupam Roy, General Secretary of the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), explained that during the wage revision agreement signed in March 2024, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and UFBU had reached a mutual understanding. According to that agreement, all Saturdays were to be treated as holidays.
Additionally, unions agreed that bank employees would work 40 extra minutes each day from Monday to Friday. Therefore, the total weekly working hours would remain unchanged, ensuring no loss of productivity or customer service in the long run.
L. Chandrashekhar, General Secretary of the National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), further emphasized that this movement is aimed at creating a more humane banking system. In today’s fast-paced world, he said, five-day banking has become a necessity rather than a luxury.
Banking Services Most Affected by the Three-Day Disruption
The impact of this extended closure is significant. Since banks were already shut on Sunday and Republic Day, the strike has disrupted transactions for three consecutive days. Consequently, financial activities worth crores of rupees are likely to be delayed.
Cash deposits and withdrawals are unavailable at public sector bank branches today. Moreover, cheque settlements have been severely affected, which could lead to payment delays for businesses, traders, and individuals.
Additionally, ATMs are expected to face heavy pressure due to the closure of branches. In many areas, this may result in cash shortages, especially if replenishment is delayed.
Administrative services have also come to a complete halt. Tasks such as opening new bank accounts, processing fixed deposits, completing KYC formalities, or resolving account-related issues will not be possible at PSB branches today.
List of Banks Closed and Banks Operating Normally Today
Public sector banks are the worst affected by this strike. Major government-owned banks such as State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Bank of Baroda are expected to remain completely shut.
On the other hand, private sector banks are largely operating as usual. Banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank are not participating in the strike. Therefore, their branch operations and digital services are expected to function normally.
However, customers should note that even private bank users may face delays in services involving inter-bank transfers or cheque clearance. Since public sector bank systems are not operational today, such transactions could take longer than usual.