Public sector bank unions call nationwide strike on January 27 over five-day work week demand
Public sector bank employees across India are observing a nationwide strike on January 27, 2026, pressing for a five-day work week and other workplace demands. The action is expected to disrupt branch-based services at several state-run lenders, while private banks and digital channels are likely to function largely normally.
Nationwide strike hits public sector bank branch services
Public sector bank unions have called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, pushing for the implementation of a five-day work week and related measures. The strike follows unsuccessful negotiations with the Chief Labour Commissioner, union-linked updates said.
Because the walkout comes after two consecutive holidays in many places, customers could see a longer window of constrained branch service and slower in-person processing for certain banking work, depending on local staffing and participation levels.
Which banks may be affected
The strike is expected to affect operations at multiple public sector lenders. Reports indicated likely disruption at institutions such as State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Union Bank, Canara Bank and Bank of Baroda, among others, as unionised employees participate in the action.
Private sector banks are expected to remain largely unaffected, as their staff are generally not part of the unions backing the strike. Branch services at private lenders may continue as usual, subject to local conditions.
Services customers may see disrupted
- Over-the-counter cash deposits and withdrawals at affected public sector bank branches
- Cheque clearing and some branch-based settlement processes
- Routine administrative work that requires physical presence at branches
Banks have indicated that they are trying to manage customer impact, but the core disruption risk remains in branch-based services that depend on full staffing. In some locations, ATM cash availability could also face localised issues if branch logistics slow down.
What should customers do today?
Customers with urgent needs were advised to use digital banking channels where possible, including mobile and internet banking, UPI payments and card transactions, which are expected to remain available. For branch-only tasks, it may be necessary to plan for delays or reschedule visits depending on local updates from individual banks.