Bank Strike Jan 27: 3-Day Banking Shutdown Expected in 2026

Bank Strike Alert: 3-Day Shutdown Looming on January 27, 2026

Bank employees’ unions, under the umbrella of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), have issued a nationwide strike call for Monday, January 27, 2026.

Add businessleague.in as a Preferred Source

Also Read | BCCI Directs KKR to Release Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026

If the strike proceeds, banking services across India could be paralyzed for three consecutive days, as the strike follows a weekend of national holidays.

1. Important Dates for Your Calendar

Planning your banking tasks is crucial this month. Public sector banks may remain closed for 72 hours straight:

Also Read | BCCI Directs KKR to Release Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026

2. Why Are Bank Unions Striking?

The primary demand is the immediate implementation of a 5-day work week.

• Current Status: Bank employees currently get holidays only on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays.

• The Agreement: A 5-day week was agreed upon in the March 2024 wage revision settlement between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and UFBU, but government approval has been pending for over 1.5 years.

• The Compromise: Unions have offered to work an extra 40 minutes daily (Monday to Friday) to ensure no loss of total working hours for the public.

• Industry Standards: UFBU argues that the RBI, LIC, stock exchanges, and most government offices already follow a 5-day schedule.

3. Impact on Customers

• Branch Services: Deposit/withdrawal, cheque clearing, and loan processing will be halted.

• ATM Cash Flow: While ATMs are replenished by third-party agencies, a 3-day holiday-plus-strike period often leads to cash dry-outs in high-traffic areas.

• Digital Banking: Mobile banking, UPI (GPay/PhonePe), and NetBanking are expected to function normally….

Also Read | BCCI Directs KKR to Release Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026

Add businessleague.in as a Preferred Source