It’s Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and if you’re standing in front of a locked shutter at your local SBI or PNB branch, you’re officially feeling the weight of the “Three-Day Blackout.”
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The nationwide bank strike is in full swing today, with the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) making their final stand for the five-day work week. Or nothing.
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The Banking Siege: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where public sector employees are basically saying, “We’ve waited long enough.” Here’s the ground reality from the strike lines:
The 4-Day Gap: Because we just had Sunday (Jan 25) and Republic Day (Jan 26), today’s strike has effectively cut off physical banking for three days straight. For some branches that were closed on Saturday too, it’s been a four-day desert. The thing is, clearing checks and processing large cash deposits is completely stalled. Those too.
The “40-Minute” Deal: The strikers aren’t just asking for less work. Here’s the kicker—they’ve already agreed to work an extra 40 minutes every day (Monday to Friday) to make up for the Saturdays. The IBA (Indian Banks’ Association) signed off on this back in March 2024. The thing is, the government notification has been sitting on a desk for nearly two years. Let’s be real—the patience has run out.
Who’s In & Who’s Out: Public sector giants like SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank are the hardest hit. But if you’re an HDFC, ICICI, or Axis customer, your branch is likely open as usual. Private sector staff aren’t part of this specific union fight. Or nothing.
The Digital Safety Net: UPI, IMPS, and Net Banking are working fine. But and here’s the kicker—ATM cash levels are dipping in some areas because the refill vans can’t get the security clearance or the cash from the struck-out branches. Those too.
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Strike Impact Tracker (Jan 27, 2026)
| Service | Status | Ground Reality |
| PSU Branches | Closed | No cash, no KYC, no lockers. |
| Private Banks | Operational | HDFC, ICICI, etc., working normally. |
| UPI / GPay | Functional | No impact on digital payments. |
| Cheque Clearing | Stalled | Expect a 48–72 hour delay in processing. |
| ATMs | Limited | Localized cash-outs expected by evening. |
And Here’s the Kicker…
The UFBU is pointing out that the RBI, LIC, and even the Stock Exchanges already have a five-day week. They’re asking why the “backbone of the economy” is still stuck in a six-day grind. The thing is, with Budget 2026 just five days away, the timing of this strike is a massive power move to get a mention in the FM’s speech. Those too.
One side comment—if you’re waiting for a salary credit or an urgent transfer, most automated NEFT/RTGS systems are running, but anything that needs “manual intervention” from a bank officer is going to be stuck until tomorrow. Or nothing.
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End…
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